Better Cafes Planned for Drivers
Page 31
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By " Tantalus "
At Last Concrete Arrangements Are Being Made• to Improve the Lot ofthe Long-distance Transport• Men in Respect of Catering and Accommodation SOME days ago there appeared in the Press an announcement to the effect that lists of roadside . cafés, particularly those with lodging accommodation, are being prepared for the benefit of long-distance drivers. This, apparently, is being carried out at the instigation of a sub-committee of the Road Haulage Control Wages Board. So, at longlast, a move is actually being made towards 'solving the important problem of meeting driver's' requirements.
It must be two years since "The Commercial Motor " ventilated this matter in its characteristic and outspoken way, and since that time continuous propaganda has been waged in are attempt to arouse attention and stimulate action so that something definite might be achieved. At one time and another there have been bitter arguments respecting drivers' wages and working conditions, but until the move now reported no one seemed willing to shoulder responsibility in thematter of ensuring that the needs of drivers with regard to food and accommodation should be suitably met.
In the past assOciations have made independent efforts to improve conditions, as also have the Trade -Unions, with little or no result; but there has never been; until the present moment, a concerted effort by all the parties concerned to 'get down to the problem.
It is easily visualized that the compilation of the necessary information, complete with details, and the preparatory work before the lists can be published, must prove a long and arduous business. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the panels of both employers and employees will regard the matter as one of urgency and do all that is possible to facilitate the completion of the scheme before the long, cold nights of winter.
Drivers Must Not Be Crowded Out
There is one important point which, it is hoped, will not be overlooked by the sub-committee, and that is the necessity of ensuring that bona-fide drivers of commer-• cial vehicles shall not be crowded out by other road users. Too often have drivers had the unpleasant experience of being unable to obtain food while travelling because the cafés already had sold out their supplies to customers who were not commercial-vehicle drivers. This point js stressed particularly because the Press announcement referred to above stated that café pro-, prietors can receive extra rations if 60 per cent of the persons catered for be manual workers. In such event, would drivers be regarded as belonging to this category? Will their needs be adequately "met? lilt has been agreed by the Ministry of Food that drivers are considered as being in category B. Only those engaged on /heavy manual labour are placed in category C. The general public is placed in the A category.—ED.1 It is conceivable that in the vicinity of a listed café there might be men engaged on building construction,
works extension, tc.. Presumably, they would be classified as manual workers and—as such—would be served. with meals. In such circumstances drivers might be met with the remark " sold out."
In previous articles dealing with 'catering facilities for drivers, special Crophasis has been laid on the need for men experienced in catering organization to undertake this work. Only experienced persons are fitted to undertake the 'responsibility. It is a specialized job.
One way of ensuring that lorry drivers should not be crowded out by other road users would be for vehicles operating on trunk services and those • in the M. of W.T.'s scheme to be provided with a sPecial identification badge or, alternatively, the badge might be worn by the drivers themselves. [We have already suggested to the M. of W.T. that commercial-vehicle drivers should be given priority cards. Vehicles in the Chartered Fleet bear. identification Markings.—En.]
Frequent Inspection Must Be Maintained There is another point which should receive the attention of the sub-committee, and that is the importance of regular supervision of roadside cafés in order to ensure that they are run efficiently and Well. It has been suggested. previously that cafes catering for the needs of commercial drivers should be licensed either by the M. of W.T. or the Ministry of Food--preferably the former.
This would prove helpful to Food Officers arranging the necessary supplies. Also it would assist in the effectual establishing of the scheme; for it is fallacious to consider the work completed with the mere launching.
Effort expended on behalf of so worthy a project is well worth while and cannot fail to bring its own reward. There can be no two opinions on the need for the provision of clean, wholesome food and good sleeping accommodation for long-distance drivers, not only along the principal trunk-service routes but throughout the country, from north to south, wherever regular roadtransport services are operated. Now—when the subcommittee is interesting itself particularly in this matter —is the time to deal thoroughly with the question. The vital needs are: (1) Sufficient cafes; (2) wholesome food in adequate quantities; (3) suitable sleeping accommodation; (4) reasonable charges. With foresight and sound planning good results should be achieved.
Commercial-vehicle drivers • are engaged in work of supreme importance. The duties are strenuous and the hours long and frequently monotonnus. It is the drivers" just due that they, as front-line troops, should be provided with adequate facilities at reasonable rates.
If the, efforts of the sub-committee result in meeting the needs of lorry drivers, and eliminating the cause of so many complaints, they will have rendered a most valuable service not only to road-transport but also to the national cause.