Scots do it again
Page 5
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SCOTTISH hauliers have done it again. They are the first to reach a wage agreement with the Transport and General Workers Union for the 1984/85 wage round.
In a deal which TGWU drivers are being recommended to accept, they have gone slightly more than halfway in meeting the regional claim for a £10 across-the-board increase in basic rates for 40 hours.
£5.50 increases in the basic rates will take the 32.5-tonne rate to £103.50 and the 38tonne rate to £105.50 from January 1. Overnight subsistence will rise by 75p to E11.50. From next year, subsistence will be increased automatically in line with the September retail price index.
The night rate is being increased to time-and-a-fifth, adult rates for mates and other grades will apply at age 20 instead of 21 and accident and sickness benefit will rise by 5.5 per cent.
The £5,000 accidental death payment will in future be a death in service payment to which drivers will be eligible after one year's continuous service, subject to their making a £5 annual contribution.
Accord in Scotland contrasts with no sign yet of an agreement in Liverpool where employers have increased their offer, but are still sticking to an attempt to link the increase with the 55 plain time hours guaranteed week which applies there.
In response to a claim for a £7 increase in the 40-hour rate, the employers have increased a £6 offer on the 55-hour rate to £7. This equates to a £5.09 increase in the 40-hour week.
They have increased their offer for "dark money" payment ot 58p per hour (it is 54p at present) or 22 per cent of the new offered basic rate, but have stuck to their 50p offer on overnight subsistence (to £12) and still reject the TGWU's claim for a 39-hour basic week (CM November 17).
Union negotiators are still pressing for a working party to be established to investigate the possibility of a pension scheme which could start in 1986. The offer is being put to drivers without any recommendation and employers will learn the response later this month. An offer has also been made in the West Midlands in response to the £10 across-theboard claim submitted there, and this is being considered by drivers.
Further talks have been held in the Metropolitan and SouthEast area, but there is still no agreement. Further talks have been arranged for the East Midlands next week. Another Scottish-style £10 claim has been submitted jointly to Sheffield hauliers by the TGWU and the United Road Transport Union.
They want to establish a £5.50 differential for drivers of 38-tonners (it is £2.60 at present), for subsistence to rise by £2 to £13, for the working week to be reduced gradually to 35 hours, for a £1 daily meal allowance, and for five weeks' holiday entitlement to apply after 12 months' service.