What the Associ ions Are Doing
Page 46
Page 47
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Effort to Stabilize Municipal Rates A.R.O. Affiliation Scheme Announced
MEMBERS of Swansea Highways Committee have heard a deputation from the Swansea branch of A.R.O. concerning the basic rates of tenders for municipal haulage. The deputation, according to a report to the December meeting of the highways committee, reminded members that in this matter it had the support of the Transport and General Workers Union.
It was contended that, in the past, Swansea Council had accepted tenders at rates which made it impossible for the fair-wages clause in contracts to be observed. To remedy this condition the A.R.O. branch suggested that tenders should be considered only from its members, or from persons willing to join, that the Association should supply the committee with a Suitable scale for the work, and that the committee should not consider tenders below this basis. In return, the A.R.O. would guarantee that the proper wages should be paid.
It was stated that in certain cases employees due to receive 67s. 6d. per week had been found to he actually obtaining 37s. 6d.
The deputy town clerk ruled that the committee could not bind itself to take tenders only from A.R.O. members or to accept tenders on the Association's
basic rates. The council must seek open tenders, stipulating .a fair-wages clause in contracts.
The borough surveyor was of the opinion that it was best to continue to seek tenders as before. He would, however, supply the committee with an estimate of the amount for which he could do the work, paying wages above the district /ate. This might be of use as a guide to the committee.
It was decided to seek tenders for the various contracts, and to pay regard, in considering them, to the surveyor's promised estimates. THE worst enemy of road traits port, at the present time, is Sir Josiah Stamp," said Mr. Roger W.
A.R.O. national director, addressing the East Lanes branch at a supper in Manchester on Monday. Road tra asport was governed from Euston Station and not from Westminster; or, rather; by Westminster dancing to the time of Euston. It was that condition which road transport needed to fight.
If those present read The Motor they would have noticed what that journal had said with regard to the beneficial effect of A.R.O. work in connection with the recent Parliamentary election, The result of the questionnaire was that 100 members of the Government were pledged to support the. cause of road transport.
The Association was having a hard fight in East Lancashire, said Mr. Sewill, but it was a fight that should never have taken place. There was enough work in fighting the real opponents of the industry. A.R.O. was prepared to negotiate with a view to amalgamation, and he felt that the rank and file should call for the way to he made clear for the formation of one association. His organization was anxious for complete unity in the industry, and, appreciating that local conditions affected certain local associations, it had been arranged that until those circumstances had passed away an affiliation scheme could be offered so as to facilitate the national linking up of small bodies.
That he had not the slightest doubt the A.R.0, would, before long, be the only Association was stressed by Mr. John W. I3eresford.
Mr. R. P. Whipp, F.C.A., presided.