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Clamp on transporter men's wages may hit productivity
Page 60
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FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT THE Government this week clamped down on the wages of 800 car transporter drivers employed by 17 Midland firms—and demonstrated its intention to stick rigidly to its "severe restraint" wages policy.
By making this move—less than three-and-a-half months before the six months compulsory "restraint" period finishes—the Government runs the risk of antagonizing one of the most militant groups of workers in the country.
Notice of the order freezing the wages until August 11 has to be given 14 days before it comes into effect. It follows the employers' payment of wage increases before July 1 under stress but in opposition
to Government wishes.
If the order is confirmed, it will be illegal for the drivers' union to try to coerce the employers into paying.
The drivers, headed by Mr. Alan Law, the Transport and General Workers' Union's regional commercial vehicles group secretary, may not take strike action if the 3d an hour increase is withdrawn by the 17 employers. The firms have been paying the additional 3d. in addition to a better overtime rate and a cut of 1+ hours in the number of hours worked a week.
But as a result of Government intervention, productivity could be cut. Mr. Law claims that improvements in pay and conditions were part of a productivity deal, and their. withdrawal may mean the refusal by drivers to drive Loaded transporters back to base.