Unions Clarify Wage Demands New Bargain on Speed Limit ?
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AT a meeting on Tuesday afternoon of the National Joint Industrial Council, the unions clarified their claim on behalf of haulage workers for a substantial increase in wages and for higher rates for night work. The amount demanded .has not yet been disclosed. Another meeting will be held "fairly soon," but no date has been fixed.
The employers' panel of the Road Haulage Wages Council met on Tuesday morning.
British Road Services, to which a similar application has been made,. are not represented on either the N.J.1.C. or the employers' panel.
The spokesman for the employers declined to state why the case had been submitted first to the N.J.I.C, instead of adopting the usual procedure of taking the matter straight to the Wages Council. He said that to do so :would reveal the basis on which the claim had been made.
It is thought, however, that the unions may have submitted a new bargain for an increase in the speed limit on heavy goods vehicles to 30 m.p.h. Many employers are opposed to any proposal to buy such a concession from the workers.
An increase of Is. a week in the wages of haulage workers is estimated to cost the industry £440,000 a year. Last year two advances totalling 7s, a week were granted, equalling over £3m. in a full year.
Big Increases Granted Substantial increases in pay have been granted to transport workers in the Co-operative Wholesale Society. Employees covered by the transport agreement have been awarded an increase of 10s. a week in London and 8s. a week in the provinces, as from October 4. 1954. Transport workers at the C.W.S. creameries have been awarded another 10s. 6d. a week in London and 9s. 6d. a week in the provinces, as from November 7.
Transport workers employed by the Milk Marketing Board have been granted an extra 8s. 6d. a week, also from November. 7.
The Minister of Labour has been asked to make art Order for increases of 6s. a week for male transport workers and 4s. fid. a week for women in the retail food, furnishing and drapery trades.