Drivers win strikes
Page 6
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FORMAL wage negotiations in No week, and strikes on Monday this settling at rates being sought Workers Union.
Talks between the TGWU and employers representing operators outside Liverpool last Tuesday broke down after the union insisted on pursuing a £5 increase in basic pay and 50p increase in subsistence, and employers refused to increase their original offer of £2.50 with 25p extra subsistence.
A drivers' meeting on Saturday last week led to a strike call throughout the region, and the TGWU reported most support for this in Birkenhead, with other drivers joining at locations in St Helens and Warrington.
The employers' negotiators have left it to individual companies to negotiate their own deals, and Road Haulage Association area manager Bill Far rth West England broke down last week led to around 50 companies by the Transport and General north commented on Monday: "If companies feel they can afford to pay £10, then good luck to them."
TGWU officer Bob Robinson told CM on Tuesday that 10 agreements for the E5 increase (giving £91 and £10.75 subsistence to top weight drivers) had been signed, making that rate apply to 90 per cent of operators in the area. He had "a number" of similar settlements in St Helens, 12 in Warrington, four in Preston, and was awaiting details from Greater Manchester.
He said that the situation will be reviewed after two weeks, and a "mopping up" operation will then be directed at the companies which have still to settle. Any drivers taking official action would receive union backing.
Mr Robinson said he was very pessimistic about the chances of reviving the negotiating machinery with the RHA, saying: "I now have no faith in future that we will be dealing with a body representing the collective view of the membership."
Two more areas have settled their 1983 rates. The York group has agreed a 5.3 per cent rise, taking top weight basic up by £4.50 to £89.50. Subsistence remains at £10. And the TGWU reports that the Teesside group has agreed a £3.40 increase in basic with 25p subsistence, taking the top rate to £88.40 with £10 subsistence.
Offers have also been made in Tyneside, East Midlands, and Mid Wales. The Tyneside offer is £2.75, taking the top rate to £87.75; that in East Midlands is £4 with 50p subsistence, taking that to £89.60 and £10.50; and that in Mid Wales is 3.5 per cent on the £85 level which employers imposed last year. The TGWU is making no recommendation with any of these offers.
South Wales drivers have still to receive an offer, and drivers there are to meet today (Saturday) to discuss the situation.
Northern Ireland drivers have rejected a 4.5 per cent offer, but were considering a revised package following a meeting on Monday this week.