South West tops E100
Page 7
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DEVON and Cornwall hauliers and the Transport and General Workers Union have agreed a £5.60 flat increase in recommended wages.
The deal takes the top rate basic for 38 tonners to £100.60 for 40 hours, the 32.5 tonne rate to £95.10, domestic subsistence up 50p to £10.50 per night, and Continental subsistence up £1.25 to £20.
In West Cumbria (CM, February 4), the £6.50 increase takes the 38 tonne rate to £96.50, the 32.5 tonne rate to £93.50, and overnight subsistence up 50p to £10.75.
The future of this year's negotiation in Tyne and Wear and Carlisle and Penrith rested on the outcome of a meeting of the RHA's northern area committee on Wednesday.
It was to decide whether to increase its last offer of a £5 increase on the 32.5-tonne rate (taking it to £93) and 50p on subsistence to £10.50, leaving individual companies to agree a rate for 38-tonners. According to TGWU officer Geoff Eggleston, that would make the 32.5-tonne rate the lowest in Britain.
Mr Eggleston said the drivers were prepared to settle at a £5.50 increase, which would keep them in line with the bottom-of-the-league rates already agreed in Kent and West Cumbria.
In Western England, the chances of a settlement this year look slim following the TGWU's rejection of employers' final offer of a £5.30 increase in the 32.5-tonne rate to £93.70, with 50p subsistence rise to £10.50, and no immediate talks on a 38tonne rate.