Strike majority at Redland Readymix
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Lee Kimber • Strike action by nearly 200 Redland Readymix drivers came a step closer this week when 76% of the owner-drivers threatened with new contract terms voted to take industrial action.
In a 90% turn-out more than half of the angry drivers voted for strike action; 76% voted for "some form of industrial action", according to National Owner-Drivers Association president Mick Binns.
"I'm waiting for the official confirmation from the independent scrutineer," he says, before meeting with committees in two weeks to decide what form the action should take. Options include bans on waiting time, transfers or Saturday working.
The vote was triggered when owner-drivers learned that Redland plans to derecognise NODA and cut their unsociable hours payments in revised contracts that will also allow the company to set new haulage rates (CM 4-10 May).
Last Wednesday's vote coincided with the expiry date of the last contract negotiated by NODA, but Redland drivers say none of the new contracts have been issued yet.
Redland directors declined to comment this week but are said to have been shocked by the result because it contradicts a company-sponsored vote held in February when 28% of its 196 drivers indicated they were prepared to accept new contracts.
NODA effectively has three weeks to notif y Redland that
it is taking New tacho delay action hut Binns hopes the directors will change their minds. "The last thing anyone wants is a head-to-head with the company," he says.