Drivers' wages leap by 13.8%
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WEEKLY pay for Britain's lorry drivers now averages £68, according to the latest Freight Transport Association wages report.
The report also shows that in the 12 months to September 1976, the gross earnings of drivers rose by 13.8 per cent. This figure does not take into account the majority of the most recent round of pay settlements.
There was a slight increase in average hours worked, from 47.1 in September 1975 to 48.57 last year, which meant that the increase in earnings per hour worked was 10,2 per cent.
Analysis, by vehicle size, shows that average gross pay for driving a vehicle under 7.5 tonnes (7.38 tons) gvw is £57.76 per week. But an artic driver would earn £75.39, although he would work longer hours.
The most common level of subsistence payment in September was £4.50, with £5.50 next in the overnight table. ' " "These figures are the direct offspring of agreements between the unions and assenting hauliers", says the report, "and it is probable that as fresh agreements are brought into operation, the typical figure will rise to £5.50."
The report indicates that the averages vary considerably with location, vehicle type, type of operation and company size, and it assesses the implications of these various factors.
It also includes an analysis of payments made to drivers on international journeys, with earnings, subsistence payments, expenses and the size of the cash float among the items looked at.
The information on which the report is based was gathered from amongst the FTA's own-account members.. It is generally accepted that ownaccount operators pay more than hire and reward hauliers, but recent increases not taken into account in the report, will probably bring hire and reward drivers into line with the above figures.
FTA wages reports are available only to Association members.