AFIX TGWU SET OUT
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Dispute warning
PAY DEMANDS
AN INDUSTRIAL dispute is firmly on the cards unless the Road Haulage Association and the United Road Transport Union can get back round the table and hammer out a pay deal.
This warning was given by Mr Michael Durant, URTU North Western divisional officer, when he claimed that the RHA had broken off negotiations over a wage agreement for the next 12 months.
"I can almost guarantee that unless we are talking by November 29 when the current agreement expires there will be industrial action which may well have national repercussions," he said.
The area agreements had worked well until this "hiccup", Mr Durant went on, but now the union is "not at all happy about the national negotiating arrangements."
Mr Durant said that the dispute originated when the £6 pay rise for drivers was negotiated last December. "Usually every haulier follows the agreement between the RHA and URTU, but this time one didn't," he said.
"We called in ACAS (the Government's Arbitration, Conciliation and Advisory Service) and their report said that the company should pay.
"The very next day we had a letter from the RHA saying that there would be no further negotiation between us on the new pay deal. There was a meeting between us scheduled for the next day but no employer turned up. I have explained the situation to the men and they are angry," said Mr Durant.
"It's a very small-minded attitude, the men were very annoyed indeed, especially as the letter came after we had lodged our pay claim to the RHA on July 16."
An RHA spokesman denied they had broken off negotiations. "That's putting it a bit strongly," he said. "Obviously the region, the North West (Eastern) was a bit upset about the ACAS report and I am not surprised that no one turned up for the meeting." TRANSPORT AND GENERAL Workers' Union policy on drivers' pay for the next 12 months was due to be endorsed by the union's National Council yesterday (Thursday) as CM went to press.
The policy it was asked to approve included a five per cent pay rise for drivers and a £7 a night subsistence level. The demand also included an occupational pension scheme and four weeks holiday.
The policy is based on a ten point plan put forward by TGWU national organiser Mr Jack Ashwell some months ago. The plan included a call for an inquiry into drivers digs following claims that some drivers were forced to sleep six to a room.
"What we want is a proper and decent level of subsistence — at least on a par with home," said Mr Ashwell, "we want somewhere where the driver can sit and read a book or watch the telly," he said.
Other claims include a shorter working week with no loss of pay and pay and job security. They are also to ask for non-contributory sickness and accident schemes, compulsory insurance cover with better standards of health and safety plus the speedy setting up of lorry routes.
The plan was put forward at a meeting of delegates from branches all over the country at transport union headquarters in London last week and it is expected to be endorsed by the national council this week.
"It was a good meeting from all points," said Mr Ashwell, "and from it will come the directive on pay policy that will go to the regions to be negotiated as agreements fall due," he said.
Mr Ashwell said that the union would be staying within the Government's Social Contract with its claim of five per cent.
United Road Transport Union divisional officer for the North West, Mr Michael Durant said that the claim was almost the same as his union's.
URTU have put in a claim for an extra five per cent in the drivers' pay packet and they are asking for a subsistence rate of £7.50, but so far negotiations have broken down.
Claims for extra subsistence are almost certain to renew the three month row over taxable allowances for drivers which the unions and the Inland Revenue fought out earlier this year.
The row led to several stoppages and smaller wildcat strikes within the industry and caused much bad feeling among the men. It could alst lead to another situatior where hauliers find them selves faced with massive bills for back tax if they pay thE claim without consulting thE taxman.
Mr Ashwell commented "We want the four weeks. holiday as soon as it is practi. cally possible and it will be part of the policy. The policy is based on the ten point plan and has been only slightly altered to give the new motion up for endorsement this week."