TGWU demands action
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
1H15 has been a bad year for the lorry driver, and next year the Transport and General Workers' Union says matters will only be better if it pushes hard to improve the image of the road transport industry.
This was the strong message last weekend from West Midlands road transport commercial group secretary Jim Hunt, whose area has just launched a campaign in support of the commercial vehicle, when he urged the union's national leadership to take up the fight for the industry.
"NO one presents the case for lorry drivers as strongly as they should." he said and warned that the TGWU should look beyond the narrow issue of wages.
"We must widen our horizons and start campaigning on behalf of our industry He added that there ithr,-.1
that enough is enough Iliac should be channelled constructively.
Ihint praised the Society of' Motor Manufacturers and 'Traders' video Sin 'ink' the Community which promotes the image of the heavy lorry in a "short, simple and straight-to-the-point'' mantier, while presenting the everyday problems faced by drivers.
The TGWU will use the video as part of a package of persuasive measures when speaking to local authorities and Government ministries "to provide civilised facilities for drivers when building roads," he stated. It will also be shown to other trade union groups in the area to raise public awareness.
But he said that 1985 has been a bad year for the IIGV driver for three reasons: • The compensation needs of lorry drivers who lose their licence because of health reasons have been totally ignored with the planned Government regulations to introduce in checks every five years to drivers over 46.
• The newly agreed EEC drivers' hours regulations arc just "a political deal having no regards whatsoever for the needs of drivers". Hunt said: "It is difficult to understand when public concern is so focused on IT ad accidents, how Ministers are adopting regulations to lengthen the driving day."
• The Greater London Council night and weekend ban which comes in on January 31 displays an "abysmal ignorance and a one-sided negative response" to the heavy vehicle. "The problem isn't the heavy vehicles and their drivers the problem is an outdated road network," he said.