Drivers call off threat
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BIRMINGHAM drivers have called off their threat to black all vehicles carrying tachographs, and are claiming victory in their campaign to keep the tacho out of Britain.
Transport and General Workers Union Midlands group secretary Alan Law told CM "We are satisfied that the campaign has brought fruition. We are not putting the issue to bed but we will be holding action in abeyance."
Mr Law said the action followed a statement by Transport Minister William Rodgers that the tacho would not automatically be adopted in Britain.
Mr Rodgers told a meeting of shop stewards in Birmingham that he has no plans to force the use of tachos in trucks operating in Britain — but he also said that he is likely to insist on their use in vehicles used for continental work.
Mr Law made it clear that the 9,000 drivers of the powerful 543 branch would not accept tachos in their vehicles at any price and said they have already achieved complete success in their battle against the tacho with their refusal to operate vehicles equipped with them.