We need more control driver
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MORE control of the haulage industry and more licences are needed to give the owner-driv better deal, the British Association of Owner-Drivers told the Foster Committee inquiry Operators' licensing last week.
Association secretary Mike Wells with chairman George Kelly and Harry Boland told the committee hearing oral evidence that everyone operating before December 31 1977 should be entitled to Certificates of Professional Competence as of right.
And they want the system of 0 licensing extended to include all vehicles used for the carriage of goods — including light vans used for hire and reward.
BAUD advocates a return to some form of establishing proof of need before an 0 licence is granted, with provision for existing hauliers in an area to object to a proposed grant.
Owners of vehicles built for carrying goods and used for hire and reward should be compelled to qualify for a CPC, say the owner-drivers.
And they have joined the call for special licences for people involved in the carriage of hazardous loads.
But anyone in another industry should stick to that industry and not attempt to carry on haulage as well, say the drivers.
And the owner-drivers would also clamp down on clearing houses. They told the committee that operators of clearing houses should hold 0 licences and would have to qualify for a restricted licence barring them from subcontracting more than 40 per cent of their work. They would also hay( abide by a strict code of duct.
Tariffs, controlled n enforced by law should b( troduced, the Foster Corn tee heard, and there low need for a minimum rate, the abolition of the two rate system.
Also hit would be the c panies employing owl drivers. Those such as concrete industry would be allowed to continue a present.
And they made it clear owner-drivers want a retur the Transport Act 1968 drivers' hours regulations.
Liaison between plant authorities and the owl drivers to end the probleff overnight parking, and a c mittee of representatives f the whole of the industry also needed, they say.