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Unions blamed as firms shut
Page 5
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UNION action over a pay claim has been blamed for the closure of two Midlands haulage companies this week and drivers have taken protest action against union officials.
Drivers circled the Leeds office of the Transport and General Workers Union on Friday with 16 heavy vehicles claiming that the action had cost them their jobs.
One driver shouted from his window that the strike had been inspired by left-wing elements. "A handful of left-wing militants have taken our living away," he said.
Managing director of Mac's Transport of Wakefield and Shelliway Transport of Warrington, Alec McDade, said this week that the closures had been caused by a strike of 11 drivers.
"We have been forced into this position by the irresponsible attitude of TGWU officials who have been prepared to see the company close rather than modify their pay claim," he said.
The dispute was over a claim for more money which had been settled by 23 drivers at the Wakefield company who settled for a £60 guaranteed basic wage while the strikers wanted an extra 00 a week. Striking drivers at the other depot then blacked the company and its customers.
The closures came as the company was planning to expand to a 14,000 sq ft warehouse and distribution centre and order 10 new Vehicles.
Mr McDade commented: "The closure is not bluff aimed at frightening the union into calling off the strike.
"We have been forced into this position because TGWU members at customers' depots are blacking our vehicles. I have worked day and night to try to resolve the dispute but the union would not negotiate responsibly," said Mr McDade.
He added that he had even gone to the Labour Party conference in Blackpool to try to put the position to TGWU general secretary Moss Evans.
But this week many of the striking drivers were unrepentent about the 40 redundancies and at least one striker claimed that this was the start of a campaign to rid the industry of "cowboys" — and he inferred that the two companies came into this category.
Union officials at the Leeds office were not available when CM tried to contact them immediately before we went to press.