Scottish operators' 40p a mile
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
DESPITE some gloomy forebodings and the strong hints from the VIA president reported on this page, Scottish hauliers are finding that their customers are, to use Mr Beckham's words, "picking up the bill". Following the recent haulage drivers' wage incwases (CM November 1) operators are asking for, and getting, rates increases of up to 271/2 per cent without any real opposition from their customers.
Mr G. MacKenzie, managing director of Connal and Company, who was chairman of the assenting hauliers' committee during the negotiations, told CM this week: "In general our customers have beem most understanding and cooperative." He quoted extracts from letters he had received from customers in Manchester, Doncaster and London which, while expressing concern at another rates increase there was a 7 per cent rise in August — all accepted that the hauliers had been burdened with additional expenditure which they coudd not hope to carry. A sentiment which recurred in the letters was the hope that the service they had been receiving would he maintained as standard and perhaps 'show a slight improvement.
Scottish hauliers are now receiving £80 for a 2I-ton load Glasgow to Manchester and £160 Glasgow to London. Whereas the mileage rate prior to the wage agreement was about 33p per mile, it is now 40p per mile. The 32-ton-gvw machines on shunting work whose rates are on an hourly basis are being charged at £5 per hour as against £3.50 previously.
Glasgow operators are engaged on GlasgowLondon trunking schedules for 2l/2 journeys per week per vehicle, which produce a gross revenue of about MO. With a driver's basic wage at £40 and a further f.:30 for 20 hours overtime, plus mileage allowance, most men are now earning in excess of £100 per week.
Bonuses of typically 4p per mile are paid for mileage in excess of 250 miles per day and as 21/2 London runs equal just over 2,000 miles this means another £20. The standing charges fora 32-tonner are now estimated at £125 per week.
Scottish hauliers might face their next battle at the end of the year, this time with the Prices Board who may take issue with the amount of increase passed on to the customer, but it is understood that hauliers are confident they can make a case which will justify the 271/2 per cent.
Last Friday the National Freight Corporation agreed to increase its wage agreement which was due to come into operation on December 2 to give its drivers parity with the Scottish drivers. It is expected that like the Scottish hauliers, the National Freight Corporation companies will be applying to their customers for a substantial increase. NFC chairman Sir Daniel Pettit said: "The wage settlements may add 25% to transport costs."