mii■•■•■■ T&G to ignore economic `blip'
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• Worries over the economy look set to be ignored by the Transport and General Workers Union when it opens wage negotiations with rood transport employers. The union will be arguing that its 120,000 driver members will not accept cuts in terms and conditions to help employers through an economic "blip". Widespread driver shortages mean the T&G will be determined to secure good wage increases although it will also discuss productivity improvements. The size of this year's wage demand will be decided by officials in October. "irrespective of their economic problems, employers are going to have to squeeze their margins—otherwise they will end up with no drivers," says Ron Webb, T&G national officer. Road Haulage Association head of employment Ruth Pott agrees the driver shortage makes it "very much a drivers' market," but she adds, "employers will pay what they can—as they always do."