Time to talk money
Page 7
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• Opening moves in the autumn pay round have begun with three Road Haulage Association regions receiving claims from the Transport and General Workers' Union. Meetings are scheduled for early November in two of the regions.
The RHA's West Midlands and the Metropolitan regions have both received claims mirroring the recommended TGWU wages claim which is inflation plus 2% 12.8% in total. The claim also includes a package of improvements on conditions, including a cut in working hours from 40 to 39.
Scotland has asked simply for a "substantial increase in basic wages"; its Joint Industrial Committee meets on 8 November to explore what this means. No reduction in hours is called for. The Scottish RHA attributes the modesty of the claim to Scottish unions taking a "more realistic view of negotiations bearing in mind the economy is less bouyant than in England". However Scottish overnight subsistence payments are automatically linked to the September RPI.
The Metropolitan area, covering London, meets on 14 November when the TGWU will present its full claim to the Joint Industrial Committee.
In addition to 12.8% on wages and a 39-hour week, the TGWU claim includes a rise on overnight subsistence; five week's holiday after a year's service; a minimum of 55 hours a week holiday pay (or a driver's average earnings — whichever is greater).