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Wedge strike called off

11th October 1968
Page 28
Page 28, 11th October 1968 — Wedge strike called off
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From our industrial correspondent • A mass meeting of 1,500 Hull lorry drivers voted unanimously on Tuesday to end their two-week pay strike. The men returned to work the following day.

They accepted assurances from the Transport and General Workers' Union that negotiations on about 50 local agreements would, be completed within the next three weeks or official strike action would be recommended.

The strike was organized by the unofficial Wedge Committee, a breakaway group from the TGWU and the United Road Transport Workers' Union, in support of a demand for a flat El 6 for a 40-hour week.

The TGWU is now prepared to launch an intensive campaign to woo drivers away from the unofficial committee. Its following has been strengthened since the breakdown in March of national-level negotiations for a £1 -a-weekincrease.

Although the unions went into immediate negotiations for company-by-company productivity deals and have secured some terms at the level demanded by the Wedge, progress has been slow. Only about 15 major agreements have been reached—and the Prices and Incomes Board is carrying out a fresh probe into some of these.

Tuesday's meeting was called by Mr. David Shenton, area secretary of the TGWU, who put before the strikers proposals for a settlement which came out of discussions with the Road Haulage Association on Monday Mr. Shenton said that he had 10 officers ready to negotiate with individual firms for pay and productivity deals. The union executive, he added, would be asked to support official strike action against any firm resisting negotiations on the basis of the union's £16-a-week policy, The strikers were demanding a flat E5 a week increase. Their stoppage has been accompanied with allegations of intimidation and threats of violence. Several firms have taken their vehicles off the road.

The RHA in Hull has advised members to arrange conditions for a return to work with union officials. Many firms had already told the unofficial strike committee that they were prepared to negotiate new rates based on higher productivity.


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