National drivers' strike threatened
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Derren Hayes • A national lorry drivers' strike is threatening as militancy grows over the Government's stance on issues including eyesight tests and workers' rights, says one of the transport unions.
The United Road Transport Union (URTU) prediction follows controversy over plans for new eyesight tests and uproar over leaked proposals to take away employment rights for workers in small firms.
Last week, operators at a regional Road Haulage Association conference called for a militant French-style protest at Government transport policy (CM 7-13March).
The latest furore centres on plans that would end the rights of workers in small businesses to claim unfair dismissal. As 80% of hauliers operate five or less vehicles, a large percentage of drivers would be stripped of employment rights.
URTU say this would result in drivers not wanting to work for small firms or increasingly looking abroad for work where employment rights are better.
URTU spokesman Douglas Curtis says: "As a driver you could go into work and the boss say: `I don't like your face today, you're sacked'—and there would be no recourse.
"I can see a situation where drivers would not tolerate that. If the Government pursues that line, the only logical outcome would be a national drivers' strike.
"I don't think we're too far away from it and if it happens British industry would come to a halt. Drivers know they have the power; they just haven't used it yet."
Curtis says unrest within drivers' ranks is growing fast with this latest news only adding to deep resentment over the proposed toughening of eyesight tests.
Both URTU and the Transport and General Workers Union are to meet roads minister Steven Norris and opposition transport spokesmen later this week to discuss the eyesight legislation.
Norris and the Government have been backed further into a corner after the European Union dismissed claims UK drivers had to lose jobs because of the directive. A statement says the decision to abolish grandfather rights was entirely the Government's and "not dictated by Brussels".
Norris has now come under attack from his own party with Michael Heseltine also calling for a re-think over the way the Department of Transport has interpreted the legislation.