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Expect 40-hour week in four years at most

10th June 1999, Page 10
10th June 1999
Page 10
Page 10, 10th June 1999 — Expect 40-hour week in four years at most
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• by Karen Mlles Within four years all UK truck drivers will be restricted to a 48-hour working week.

The European Union's social affairs ministers have taken drivers working hours into their own hands after months of procrastination by their transport counterparts. The 15 ministers, one from each EU state, have agreed that all CV drivers will he subject to the 48-hour weekly limit for driving, loading, unloading and standby waiting. The limit will be averaged over a 12-month period.

The European Parliament is expected to push for the limit to become law within two or three years, bringing down the average working week of a UK lorry driver by 25%. However, the provisions will he part of the General Working Time Directive which already governs most other EU workers but includes an opt-out in the UK only. This means that UK drivers will be able to sign-away their rights to shorter hours.

The Transport and General Workers Union will want drivers to get the 48-hour week with no loss of pay—at the very least, drivers giving up shorter hours should be able to demand other benefits in return.

Other provisions agreed by the social affairs ministers for drivers include four weeks' paid annual holiday, annual medical checks for night drivers and "adequate rest". The ministers have also made it clear that other transport workers, such as office and warehouse staff, must be covered too—there had been some doubt about this.

The provisions for drivers are not as tough as those being discussed by the transport ministers. But they will eventually be replaced by the original scheme if the proposed working time directive for drivers comes into effect.

Road Haulage Association head of employment Ruth Pott says: "The 48-hour week still causes enormous concern, and it will be of only marginal assistance if it is averaged over 12 months."


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