100 'spy' strikers stay out
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• When Midlands iorry drivers involved in the 48-hour protest about tachographs returned to work on Wednesday about 100 employees of one company, Male and Son (Pensnett) Ltd., remained on strike and presented the management with a demand for a wage increase as a condition of their return. They were demanding a basic rate of E17 10s for a 40 hour week on vehicles of 1-5 tons, and pro rata for larger vehicles, and were prepared to discuss the introduction of 40 mph scheduling in return.
Chairman and managing director Mr. Jack Male, attending the RHA conference at Eastbourne, told CM that on Tuesday he had received an ultimatum demanding his return to the company by 8 a.m. next day to discuss an agreement, if he wished his men to return to work, He intimated to TGWU regional trade group secretary Mr. Alan Law that business commitments prevented his return but that he was prepared to negotiate an agreement and would be willing to discuss the details at Eastbourne with the men's representatives, whose travelling expenses would be met. He expected the employees to return to work in the meantime; to which, said Mr. Male, Mr. Law agreed. But at a meeting on Wednesday morning Mr. Law put the matter to a vote and, with nine abstentions, the drivers decided to stay out.
On Wednesday three shop stewards were travelling to Eastbourne to negotiate with Mr. Male, The latter told CM before this meeting that, because of me threatened loss of customers resulting from the tachograph strike. he had had to warn employees that the guaranteed week would have to be withdrawn and that lack of traffic could mean that for some drivers there would not be Jobs immediately available.