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Showdown soon on liner trains?
Page 30
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FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT
ASHOWDOWN over the right of private road hauliers to use the BR liner train terminals cannot be delayed much longer. There were a number of signs this week pointing to an early decision— one way or the other.
From the British Railways Board's point of view an early decision is becoming of vital importance. Trial runs, carrying a proportion of commercial freight, have been carried out daily between London and Glasgow for nearly two months now and with teething troubles out of the way the Board are anxious to start a full commercial service as quickly as possible. Chairman Mr. Stanley Raymond has written to the National Union of Railwaymen asking them to reconsider their opposition to private hauliers.
On the union side the 24-man executive were meeting in London this week and were expected at some time to discuss Mr. Raymond's letter. With eight new members following the annual elections, the new executive is something of an unknown quantity. Last time the old executive discussed the matter opposition to private hauliers was upheld by only 13 votes to 11. One suggestion which may be taken up is that Mr. Raymond should be invited to address them personally about the Board's reasons for wanting open terminals. Then it would be up to him to persuade the executive that their fears were unfounded.
A third ingredient pointing to an early decision is the Prices and Incomes Board's report on railwaymen's pay which is imminent. For this is certain to fasten on the liner train project as a prime example of union obstructionism to a scheme specifically designed to increase the railways' performance.
Meanwhile there are signs that even if the railwaymen do withdraw their opposition to private hauliers, there may be trouble from another quarter, the Transport and General Workers Union. There is growing disquiet among its road haulage members that the liner trains will mean less work for them. Some of this is taking the form of requests to the union to persuade British Road Services not to send goods by liner train. This attitude is not shared by the union leadership, who are broadly in sympathy with the railways' plans.
Finally, from the Government side, a new element has been introduced with the appointment of Mrs. Barbara Castle as Minister of Transport. With her known views in favour of road and rail "co-ordination" she may be expected to support the liner train concept and bring some pressure to bear on the NUR. As a left-winger she may carry more weight than her predecessor, who did little to endear himself to the union.