We need a happy ending
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If there are three certainties in running a haulage business it is that people will moan about how much they pay in tax; how much they pay for fuel; and how much they pay drivers.
The issue of drivers’ wages has risen its head again this week, with employees at Coca-Cola balloted for strike action after a pay rise of 2.3% was put on the table. In a way you can understand why union Unite would label this offer as “insulting”. According to the Office for National Statistics, inflation stood at 4.2% in June – so a pay rise below inflation is a decrease in pay.
It echoes the situation at Carlsberg, when drivers rejected a 2.75% pay rise offer in May. However, CM can also understand the reaction of one reader when we broke this story on Roadtransport.com: “Here we go again. Another group of staff who believe they are better than every other worker in the country that hasn’t received a pay rise.”
While we haven’t reached another Winter of Discontent yet, industrial relations are reaching a head. Employees feel cheated that their pound doesn’t stretch far and businesses are trying to maintain their profits. The way to solve this impasse is simple (he says) – the government needs to curb inflation. Hauliers have customers whose volumes are deflated because VAT stands at 20%; they are spending more on fuel duty and don’t have enough to pass on to a loyal employee base. Which makes it more important that you sign up to the FairFuelUK campaign (see p7).
If the government makes it easier for
businesses, then we won’t have disgruntled employees. And CM knows there is nothing worse than an unhappy driver... Christopher Walton