Energy in motion!
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When John Reid announced a transport forum in response to the Park Lane rally last week, some suggested it might just be a delaying tactic—anything to avoid a repetition of what was a successful and headline-grabbing protest against Government policy. Well if that was his plan, it certainly didn't work!
As we continue to wait for a date to be set for the forum (just how long does it take to co-ordinate a few diaries over a matter of national interest?), Trans-Action has
announced the next protest for 12 April. They're hoping to at least double the number of trucks involved in London, as well as co-ordinating other protests in major cities around the UK. And who can blame them? It remains to be seen what might be achieved in any forum, and the haulage sector can't afford to lose the momentum of public interest.
There is also encouraging evidence of knock-on effects: not least MAN's proposal for a fighting fund to help keep highlighting the haulage sector's problems in the run-up to the next general election. It's good to see such attempts to unify the industry and pursue both short and longer term strategies. Not that there's anything wrong with taking an individualistic approach at the same time.
On this score, while flagging out is beginning to look less economically viable than it first seemed, many international operators will want to ensure their drivers aren't paying out unnecessarily in income tax, which could create opportunities for company-wide savings.
With all this going on, there are several glimmers of hope on the horizon. Let's hope at least one of
[them gets the industry the break it undoubtedly deserves. 1-7 April 1999 Commercial Motor