Es' future clouded
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URE of the 'Lige industry's wage negoion machinery is being revved by the Road I laulagc sociation following (lends for an end to joint in councils.
[he use of the JICs, made of RHA members and the ansport and General )rkers Union, has been rewed by the RHA's execuc board and is now being cussed by members.
rue executive board wants discontinue the JICs. It he'es some members could : a better wage deal outside company level and points t that many areas either k a JIG or have one which es not operate.
I lie RI A's industrial relations committee, on the other hand, strongly favours the retention of the JICs. It argues that they perform a useful flanction, and provide contact with the TGWU.
TGWU national haulage secretary Jack Ashwell is concerned about the review and about the areas where there is no effective JIC. He says that any move away from the JICs will be to the deteriment of employers.
"In the longer term it is the only place where employers can compete equally,Ashwell says.
The RHA districts and functional groups are debating the future of the Jk.':s and die national council will discuss, and possibly decide on their future on March 26.
The RHA is not giving clues on how the different groups are voting, but the international group voted strongly to retain the JICs last week.
The feeling at the meeting was summed up by one haulier who said that if the union is belligerent, employers need a body which capable of negotiating, on their behalf.
In group chairman Russ Peters had suggested: "If the unions arc saying the JIG should be retained, does that not mean they should be abolished?"