URTU: WORKING FOR DRIVERS • I was amazed to read
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in your edition of Commercial Motor, 19-25 November, the reference to the TGWU campaign concerning food and quality for lorry drivers of that union.
We, as a union, have been campaigning for a number of years, and I attach a copy of our recent front page of Wheels, which in fact was published in August.
You will notice in that paper we castigate the Sun newspaper for its late arrival on the scene to the Greasy Spoon Cafe, as it refers to it. We expect that august organ to be late with the news as it is with every other type of news, but I am surprised that a normally balanced and fair paper such as your own has given the impression, falsely, that there is only one trade union involved in fighting for lorry drivers' better terms and conditions.
Also enclosed is a copy of our Cafe Guide, in which we scrutinise and attempt to inform lorry drivers of the type of venue where they will be properly warmly welcomed and provided with hot food and refreshment at an appropriate and reasonable price.
We have been in touch with the RHA, with the FTA and other organisations, speaking loudly and clearly that we do wish to see lorry drivers treated as first-class, not secondclass citizens.
Our concern is widespread. As you will see from the other headline on the page I have attached to this letter, we are also concerned about food irradiation and the possible impacts of that entering into the UK market.
My organisation is always anxious to press on behalf of the lorry driver membership and indeed the transport population in general. I trust you will attempt at the earliest opportunity to balance the unfair editorial and 'comment' in the headline feature of your magazine.
Frank Griffin General Secretary for United Road Transport Union, Manchester