'Speed' sacking for BRS-group
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driver by John Darker
• As road haulage trade unions prepare for "crunch" discussions with managements over 40 mph, scheduling plans the dismissal of a James Express Carriers' driver for "speeding" on a motorway is likely to prove embarrassing to some of the parties involved, For James Express Carriers Ltd. is one of the BRS Parcels group companies and the circumstances of the dismissal seem such that a highly inflammatory situation could result.
I understand from Mr. Jackson Moore, general secretary of United Road Transport Union, that one of his members was "paced" by a security officer employed by James Express for some distance on a journey from Stockport to Bristol and eventually told that he would be reported for driving at 47 m.p.h. According to my information, BRS Parcels Ltd.—to whom the dispute has been referred —is refusing to reinstate the driver.
I have been told that James Express Carriers' drivers had been given firm and specific instructions about operating speeds and one can understand that a managerial climbdown, in the face of strong trade union pressure, would go against the grain. Yet in the context of the productivity and re-scheduling talks now pending this course would seem to be desirable, for nothing is more certain than that many commercial drivers habitually exceed 50 m.p.h. on motorways not only in this country but overseas. If productivity is to mean anything, the State road haulage fleet must surely, in the future, travel at speeds in excess of the 47 m.p.h, which has caused one of their drivers to be sacked.