Railmen Don't Want Co-operaiion
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From Our Industrial Correspondent
THE railwaymen are in favour of allout competition for long-distance freight with private road hauliers; they have no time for Dr. Beeching's plan for co-operation between road and rail. That became clear this week when the National Union of Railwaymen held its
annual conference at Paignton. ' Mr. William Ballantine, one of the union's assistant general secretaries, told the conference: We ask the railway management to make up their minds wherg they stand: are they prepared to tight our competitors or join them? If they are going to join them, then do not expect our co-operation to the same extent as if they entered into a competitive struggle with them." He said the union was wholeheartedly in favour of the linertrain project and wanted an immediate start without waiting for the Massive initial capital equipment that Dr. Beeching required. But the union did not want private hauliers in the liner-train depots. Mr. Ballantine said the railways had a first-class cartage and delivery service of its own which should be used to the maximum. The union had told Dr. Beeehing that there should be a sales drive to attract goods on to the railways. And the railways should be able to offer door-to-door contracts at prices no road haulier could compete with.
In spite of these strong words no notification of the union's continued opposition has yet been received by the British Railways Board and when it is there are likely to be further meetings in an attempt to break the deadlock.