Owner-drivers unite to end rate war
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OPERATORS of one-man road haulage businesses in South Wales are uniting in a bid to stop the rate-cutting battle which, they claim, is threaten,ing their livelihood.
Nearly 30 owner-drivers agreed at a meeting last week to set up a consortium which would be able to share costs, increase the efficiency of operators and allow them to stand up to pressures from bigger organisations.
Mr Tony Sharpe, chairman of the steering committee, said that the drivers hoped they could end the "frantic undercutting" of rates which industry and transport agents encouraged.
The small man would now be speaking from a position of strength when discussing rates for contracts.
"We have not yet decided what form the association will take, but we are hopeful that we can reduce our costs by buying in bulk, by storage of fuel, by group insurance policies and joint contracts," he said.
Another meeting is planned within the next few weeks to get the association properly formed.