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British Coal's decision to sub-contract its transport operations in South Wales comes at a time of change in the Welsh mining industry following the 1984/5 coal strike. There are now 13 pits in the area, compared with 28 before the strike. By sub-contracting the transport operations to BRS Western, British Coal has completely reorganised its transport network in South Wales, closing a number of stores, including Ammanford and Tondu. Many of its drivers have moved from the National Union of Mineworkers to the Transport and General Workers Union or the United Road Transport Union.
All of the British Coal drivers were given redundancy payments on the Friday night before the contract started and between 60% and 70% were re-employed by BRS Western on the following Monday.
oth BRS and British Coal have been anxious to keep the contract out of the headlines since it was first agreed last March. Though the contract is now up and running, none of the vehicles involved have any reference in their livery to BRS.
Around 50% of British Coal's output in South Wales goes to the Central Electricity Gener ating Board's coal-fired power stations and in recent months bulk movements by road to Aberthaw power station have increased considerably. British Coal says this increase has been necessary because of an overhaul of the conveying system at the power station.
British Coal describes itself as "pleased with the progress of the contract with BRS in South Wales". Its drivers are "very happy" about the changeover to BRS, it says, and several have taken the option to buy shares in National Freight Consortium.
James is also pleased about the contract, and claims the apparant ease with which the changeover was made results from BRS's experience in similar situations elsewhere. He is now confident that BRS can win extra business from other British Coal areas as they consider contract hire.
1=1 Dr Kim Howells of the National Union of Mineworkers in Pontypridd says the NUM opposed the sell-off of British Coal's transport operations in South Wales, but the union was never consulted by either BRS or British Coal: "We learned a great many lessons during the 1984/5 strike about transportation by road", says Howell. "We recognise the seriousness of the problem when sections of our membership get hived-off."
The move would make it more difficult for the NUM to affect road transportation of coal in the event of an industrial dispute, admits Howell, as other unions are involved.