Thin end of Law
Page 7
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the wedge?
BOTH THE Transport and General Workers Union and employers in the Leeds and Bradford area are being asked to justify a £1.25 rise in drivers' subsistence rates, because the payment breaks the Social Contract.
The controversial award was made after more than 100 drivers in the Leeds and Bradford areas stopped work and refused to take part in any further discussions until the award was made.
And now there are fears the payment will mean that men in areas where settlements have been reached at £5.50 will go back to the hauliers to ask for increased rates to the new level.
Under the agreement between the Leeds and Bradford Hauliers' Federation and the Transport and General Workers Union, there will be a review of the subsistence payment in July when phase two runs out — and there is a possibility that the rate will be raised again under phase three in November.
Employment department, incomes division, Under Secretary D. J. Hodgkins has written to both Federation chairman Don Archbold and TGWU officer Mike Davy asking for justification of the payment.
In his letter he said: "We are concerned with any settlement which may appear to depart from generally accepted criteria, particularly having regard to the repercussive effects of such a settlement which may seem excessive to those who have already reached agreement in the industry."
Later, Mr Archbold told CM: "I know this is outside the incomes policy. They can't just change the principle of the policy in mid-stream — they are now changing the basis on which subsistence is paid to cover other things outside the overnight stay."
In a letter to the Department of Employment, Road Haulage