Ulster wages
Page 5
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NORTHERN IRISH hauliers have broken beyond the £5.50 norm for basic wage increases this year to take their 32.5 tonne rate in line with Scotland's and the 38 tonne rate in line with Liverpool's.
Drivers voted last weekend to accept a £5.75 increase in all basic rates for 40 hours, taking the 32.5 tonne rate to £103.50 and the 38 tonne rate to £109.50.
Subsistence is to rise by 50p to £12.15, but talks were to take place this week to settle which components of the subsistence payments would rise.
At present, there is a £1.15 supper payment, an £8 bed and breakfast payment, a £1.25 lunch payment and a £1.25 teatime payment.
That settlement and drivers' acceptance of the Liverpool deal (CM, February 9) leaves only Devon and Cornwall left to settle its collective wage agreement this winter. Both sides there are meeting again next week to decide whether any progress may be made following drivers' rejection of a £4.90 increase in basic rates.
The National Freight Consortium has also reached agreement with most of its companies' employees.
Roadline has agreed a E5 across-the-board increase which takes, the top basic rate for 39 hours to £111.64.