(PRIWILE

14th May 1976, Page 59

14th May 1976

Page 59

Page 59, 14th May 1976 — (PRIWILE

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She's gainfully employed !

When a Miss is as good as a male

by Patrick Prekopp

IT WOULD be easy to label Alicia Gains in terms of Women's Lib and equality. For she has recently completed a two-year stint as first woman chairman of the MIA's Central London sub-area, as well as running her own haulage business—both supposedly male-dominated areas.

However, it is not that she London sub-area. Throughout has accomplished all this as a its history, Gains Transport provided the appropriate trade associations with active members. In fact, it was Alicia's father, a prominent member of the sub-area himself, who nominated her for the post as Central London's chairman. woman — but as a relative youngster. She was only 26 when she was elected chairman, probably the youngest sub-area chairman anywhere. At that time she had had only eight years' experience in the transport industry. woman — but as a relative youngster. She was only 26 when she was elected chairman, probably the youngest sub-area chairman anywhere. At that time she had had only eight years' experience in the transport industry.

"I never gave being a woman much thought when I was elected. After all, there is nothing remarkable now about being a woman in a man's world; there are several women officials in the RHA and quite a few running their own haulage firms. I was, however, proud to have been chosen to stand by 20 men," said Miss Gains.

Her attitude is understandable. She is an only child and the fifth generation of Gains to run Gains Transport Services, based in South East London. She also comes from a long line of independent women; one of her great-great aunts was working in the family office even before the Suffragette Movement was first thought of.

Active members as a committee member of Gains Transport was started RHA—the first woman to have in 1855 and later joined the been so in Central London.

London Cartage Association Then she was nominated. before it became the Central "The first time I didn't want Now, the firm's fleet, in Deptford, consists of 10 vehicles made up of 24-tonners and light vans used mainly for general haulage.

But why did the pretty 28year-old not look for a more " feminine" profession when she left school? " It was inevitable really," she says. "I had always been surrounded by lorries and when my father asked me to join the business, I readily accepted. And there were even less women in the trade then."

He first jobs included typing and simple accounting. "1 was the office boy," she confessed. After a day-release course in business studies, economics, law and financing, she gradually took over more of the business from her father, who is still the boss, however. Within a few years, she was elected to do it. I'd been in business for only six years and still felt a newcomer. On the second occasion, I accepted. People seemed to have confidence in me, and I was pleased to serve."

Coach and four

As chairman, Alicia Gains did not exactly run a coach and four through the system. "Change for change's sake is not a good idea," she says. " First, there is always a framework which you have to make sure works. Secondly, I was not in a position to alter things; I could recommend or ask. Finally, any changes would have had to be major ones anyway, because as far as I am concerned, there's an awful lot of talent in the RHA, much of it provided by Central London. And if they think things are running smoothly, who am 1, as •a new girl, to doubt them.

"However, having said that, I feel that the membership could participate more. I tried, as chairman, to be sensible and reasonable and make our debates more lively to attract interest. But there is always the same small nucleus of people who turn up and carry out the necessary work."

Transport is not an easy trade to be in, and although not physically strenuous or arduous, managing your own business does require a strong will, particularly so for a woman.

"Hauliers treat me very well. I'm not a Libber, and I don't go in for a lot of backslapping with a cheery Watcha mate! ' Employees treat me as they would any boss, either formally, or, in some cases, more personally. At RHA meetings, we were all equal. It never happened that members used the fact that I was a woman to make a point, for instance."

Finer points

But, tough as she is, Alicia still enjoys some of the finer points of life. Earlier this year, she holidayed in New York where she spent a fortnight at the opera house. She is also keen on ballet and fencing.

"Intellectually, I find haulage a stimulating industry. There are so many different aspects to it that I just don't want to move out. But I need to relax; ballet and opera are perfect foils to the harsher realties of transport."

So what now? Miss Gains is aware that the door is open to her to reach higher positions in the RHA. But, she admits, she has no particular plans at this stage.

"There is a way up. If I decide that in two or three years I wanted to be area chairman, then I have the means to do it. But I have already achieved what I had never expected — to be elected. That is good enough for me."