Dissatisfaction with Corporation Hire Rates and Conditions
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STEPS preliminary to an application for an increase in the hourly rates which Leeds Corporation pays for road haulage were taken recently at a meeting of interested operators. The rates, which have not been altered since the beginning of the war, were described as amongst the lowest in the country.
It was also decided to seek an alteration in some of the working conditions. One complaint made was that if, at the beginning of the day, an operator's vehicle sent to do Corporation work was not required to begin because of rain, the vehicle was sent back without any payment to the operator. In view of the fact that the vehicle's driver must be paid under the guaranteed week, and the doubtful prospect of other immediate work for the wagon, it was suggested that in such circumstances the Corporation should pay the operator a sum equal to the amount for two hours' work. Further, if a vehicle was "rained off" after it had begun work, the minimum payment should be that for four hours' work.
As to the rates of payment per hour, the following were suggested :-2-ton vehicles, 5s. ; 3-4.tonners, 5s. 9d.; 6-tonners, Sc.
A sub-committee was elected to prepare draft proposals for consideration at a later meeting before an approach to the Leeds Corporation authorities was made.