British drivers won't follow French into blockades
Page 24
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
British truck drivers seem to be unique in their reluctance to strike or block roads to win better pay and conditions.
Last week Wellingborough-based _IS Cook called off a planned blockade of Dover port because of a lack of support from fellow hauliers—meanwhile French drivers were mounting another day of strike action.
During February drivers in India won better pay and conditions after bringing the movement of freight in the country to a standstill.
In March Argentinian drivers took action to protest at the influx of cheap labour from Brazil, and to complain they had not been paid. Owner-drivers blockaded the country's busiest highway, Route 2, to complain that a company formed by owner-drivers had not been paid by a large Brazilian firm. It was created to try and gain access to the Argentinian internal market using cheaper Brazilian labour.
Following their action the money owed was paid.
—I An American truck driver who knocked over and killed two students after taking a cocktail of pain killers and alcohol has narrowly escaped the death penalty after being convicted of first-degree murder.
Thomas Jones, 39, who had two previous drink-driving convictions and a third pending, as well as a string of other offences, was jailed for life.