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P CONSTRUCTION
Page 7
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Tarmac subbies: new rates 'snookered us
joanna.hourketarbi.muk FRANCHISED concrete hauliers at Tarmac claim they have been "snookered" after the building materials supplier enforced changes to rates and fuel costs without consultation.
In a letter dated 2 February, leaked to CM and addressed to Tarmac Quarry Materials (TOM) concrete hauliers, Tarmac said the following changes would be implemented in March: • plant transfer payments (paid when hauliers transfer from their base to work at a different unit) will he reduced, in line with Tarmac's other divisions; • fuel recharge prices will be set monthly using actual cost figures from the previous month. Currently, the price is fixed 94p/litre.
The lack of consultation prompted contract hauliers at 37 Tarmac depots to sign a letter demanding that the firm slow down with its restructuring plans However, at a 6 March meeting with management, a number of them backed down from the threats in the letter, essentially working-to-rule. and agreed to the changes "Some drivers were too scared to take part in our threats, which included not turning up early or late for the derisory sum of £10," says one driver.
"We have been snookered. because while we want to get out, we can't afford to, and too many drivers did not unite for fear of losing their job," he adds.
Under the changes, a three-axle driver will receive a plant transfer payment of £2.07 per radial mile. compared with the existing £2.611 mile, while the four-axle 32-tonner rate has been cut to £2,461 mile from £2.91/mile.
Another driver says: "I would say three out of live drivers arc in debt because they can't afford to keep up payments for Tarmac trucks, but there's not enough work, so none of us are in a position to lose this money."
A spokeswoman for Tarmac tells CM: "Times are tough for the construction industry. We have to make changes in order to get us through these challenges" She adds: "However, as we emerge from the recession, our sector will pick up and we need our hauliers to he on-side and working with us."