Dispute Over New Schedules
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rAA DISPUTE between drivers employed by Dents Transport (Spennymoor) Ltd., of Tudhoe Colliery, County Durham, and the managing director, Mr. John Henry Dent, over revised running times brought about by the recent introduction of the 40 m.p.h. speed limit for certain classes of vehicles, resulted in a stoppage of work on Monday. Mr. Dent, The Commercial Motor understands, dismissed two drivers and suspended 16, out of a total of 48 drivers employed.
Mr. Dent told The Commercial Motor that it was decided to increase the average running schedules when the new haulage pay rises came into effect in January. However, because of the weather conditions, he decided to wait until March 4 before implementing the revised running schedules.
A deputation of drivers asked to meet him last Sunday afternoon, but 1-ve said it was not his policy to see such deputations, although he would be prepared to consider individual complaints.
On Monday he found that vehicles which had been loaded and taken home by drivers ready to move off in the early hours were back in the depot and, after Mr. Dent had been told that the drivers were not prepared to work the new schedules, the sackings and suspensions took place.
On Wednesday a Transport and General Workers Union official, Mr. J. Dawson, visited Dents Transport to discuss the matter and agreement was reached, on a strictly fifty-fifty basis", to quote Mr. Dent. It is understood that on some routes the new schedules have been reduced to meet the drivers' objections, while on other routes higher tunfling averages have been accepted.
Mr. bent agreed to re-employ the two dismissed men and withdraw the suspen• sion notices from the other 16.