Fluid situation In order to make sense of the present
Page 34
Page 35
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
fluk situation, transport needs to be seen as ar international activity. Quite apart from thc domestic implications of the Industria Relations Act, trade unions are increasing!) thinking in international terms. A pay clam by chemical workers is to be submitta simultaneously in three European countries Mr Jack Jones, of the TGWU, speaking a the August meeting of the Internationa Transport Workers Federation, drev attention to companies like Royal Dutcl Shell, Esso, LEP Transport, Mitsui Group TWA, Radio Corporation of Americ (Hertz Truck Rentals and Silcock an Collings) I T and T (Avis Car Rentals) am R. J. Reynolds, the US cigarette firm wit( own Sea-Land, with 38,000 trailers and 4' container ships in many countries.
Mr Jones also referred to the Europear African and Australian interests of Britis Electric Traction and United Transpoi Company, extending from transport, t plant hire and construction. He concludec "No trade union involved in transport alor can, unaided, apply really effective pressui nedical examination do not complete an mplication form and therefore do not )ecome an official statistic. Neither does the nedical profession keep any record of allures.
In their reports to the Minister for last tar the Licensing Authorities recorded a few ases where licences were refused on iedical grounds and in a number of cases pecialists' reports were called for by the As before licences were granted.
One other problem confronts the DoE on gv testing and that is the bulge expected ext year in the demand for tests. Figures sued by the Department earlier this year idicate that the number of tests which will aye to be conducted in 1972 will be some 30,000. The expectation for 1971 is 80,000 )mpared with the estimated figure for 370—which was achieved—of 27,000. It inevitable that such an influx of )plications will cause delays, particularly if e proportion of returned applications mains at its present high level. Drivers ho leave their application to the last mute will find they are without an hgv iving licence after their ordinary licence is expired and therefore that they will not : legally entitled to drive heavy vehicles.
-I these diversified firms. On the other hand ramifications of such combines can metimes be used intelligently by trade tionists for solidarity purposes."
He went on: "I submit there is the • ongest case for finking up with other Ade Internationals and strengthening our km ranks, so that we can apply effective essures when required. Using trade union iuence, strength and solidarity to prevent Multi-National Oligarchies dominating lives of people and nations."
The big question for NUR and URTU d other potential members of a new msport consortium is whether, combined, )y can match the powerful TGWU in tional and international influence. In nerica it is reported that the two giant Ingshoremen'S unions are considering a :rger, despite many years of great hostility wards each other. One URTU organizer d candidly that it was only a matter of te before the giant Teamsters Union ::ame involved in British and European .ivities.