Roundabouts and Swings
Page 31
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READERS of The Commercial Motor must forgive a slightly cynical, resigned tone in the following words. Many of them in fact have exactly the same feelings. So far as pay and conditions are concerned, there are two interminable roundabouts which never stop their high-speed circuits of the road transport sphere, and which never give employers a chance to catch their breath.
On one side of the roundabout is the word "claim "; on the opposite side is the word "settlement." So frequently does the roundabout spin, that anyone who missed one cycle could easily be forgiven.
The haulage pay roundabout—which only reached a settlement a few days before Christmas—is once again gathering momentum. As was reported last week, the unions have decided to seek a 42-hour-week and El 2s. a week extra on the basic rate. Within a matter of days, it is a year since the same position pertained. That claim resulted in the 6 per cent, increase that presented a handsome Christmas box to Aand B-licensed haulage workers and, of course, directly by its impact to a great many C-licence workers, too.
It is not rash prophecy to suggest that by the end of this year haulage employers will be paying more to their staff. Nobody would, for a moment, suggest that it is wrong for the unions to unceasingly attempt to better conditions for their members, but it is pertinent to question whether the time has not come for a rational appraisal of this situation.
Just look at the record in haulage -wages: in 1951 the driver of a Grade 1 area 7-tonner earned weekly 120s. basic; in 1952 it was 125s.; 1953, 128s.; 1954, 132s. and then 135s. (two increases); 1955, 145s.; 1956, 154s.; 1957, 165s.; 1958, 170s.; 1959, 175s.; 1960, 185s. 6d.; 1961,?
The p.s.v. industry is in an exactly similar predicament. It is timely for the unions and the employers—on both goods and passenger sides of road transport—to sit down and talk about stopping these incessant rounds of wage awards, which make a mockery of employers' attempts to stabilize costs.
What the pay roundabouts take away, the employers have to try to recoup on the swings of charges to customers. The swings rarely, if ever, equalize the effect of the roundabouts,
Clearing the Air ,
NOW'perhaps, the dust around the Aand C-licence controversy aroused by the Arnold Transport and Merchandise Transport cases will start to settle; the stage is finally set for the air to be cleared. OH Friday the Transport Tribunal at last issued its reasons for allowing the Merchandise C-to-A switch.
The Road Haulage Association's appeals to the High Court against the two Tribunal decisions can now proceed. Arnold has, of course, been ready for hearing for some time, but the R.H.A. has had to await the written Merchandise decision to see whether the notice of appeal must be amended.
When, therefore, will the High Court determine the two appeals? They may be heard in the present term, which ends in July; if not, they will not be heard before October. And even when those appeals are determined, there may still be the question of whether the Minister of Transport is so impressed that he decides to alter the present law. It is well-known that he and his advisors are closely following the position.
Upon this, as well as the High Court decisions, may well rest a large number of major licensing battles. The sooner the whole thing is settled, the better.