Value of a Drivers' Association
Page 41
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By " Tantalus "
CONGRATULATIONS should be 'accorded to "The Commercial Motor" upon one more example of enterprise and iaitiative in matters affecting the road-transport industry. The suggestion propounded last week in an editorial regarding the desirability of creating
, an association for drivers merits serious consideration. Perhaps, in the past, too much attention has been given to the organizing of employers and too fittle.to that of personnel—a section of the industry which, after all, is no less important. One anticipated criticism might be that
I the fort:nation of any such association is unnecessary l-avi-g regard to the position of the trade unions. But is this really so? Let us examine this point for a moment.
The primary function of the trade unions affecting the road-transport industry has, in the main, been wages and conditions of work. There are, it is true, certain material benefits attached to union membership. The unions, in fact, fulfil an important duty in bringing bad employers up to scratch, satisfying themselves that wages and statutory conditions are complied with, and, 'conversely, dealing with the bad driver—not so much from a driving aspect as from the point of view of the driver who deliberately disregards his statutory obligations.
Any organization for drivers which' might be created could be of a supplementary character and, as such, of considerable value to the trade unions without being competitive. For example, it might well serve as a clearing house for drivers, who could be classified regarding the types of vehicle driven, and graded according to the individual's particular record. A driver, for instance, with a " clean " licence and possessing the certificate of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents would be in the highest grade. At the other end of the scale would come the driver with, an excessive number of convictions for road offences,. who might be black-listed as an undesirable member of the industry. In this connection alone the proposed new organization would prove of supplementary value to the trade unions. Then, again, the point raises a further aissue which, 'although undoubtedly contentious, is none the less worthy of consideration." Should not those drivers who are possessed of clean driving licences and records and who display evident interest in their work and vehicles receive iecognition by means of a higher wage than that paid to a driver who is negligent, careless, slow at his work, and whose record is generally bad? Already there are many firms—particularly amongst the C licensees —who do, in a material form, recognize service rendered by the good driver. No employer should be at the mercy' of a careless and unscrupulous employee, and, alternatively, no driver—under the threat of losing his job—should be compelled to commit breaches of ate law.
Registers of Drivers and Employers
It‘might be suggested that the new body should lain its attention to the compilation of a register of all drivers— recommended or otherwise—and thus act as an 'employment agency within the industry. A similar register ofknown and proved bad employers might also be compiled.
The views expressed by Messrs. Parris and Carter in the August 1 and 15 issues of "The Commercial Motor," indicate that they stipport the formation of some such association as that indicated, and' their views, doubtless, are those also of a large number of people who might hesitate to put pen to paper. Both these correspondents raised the highly important question of superannuation. Throughout all classes of the community at the present time there is manifest the desire for a reasonable sense of security and some provision for old age.° Generally, the employing classes have better opportunities and facilities for making the necessary provision which is wanted by the employees. It is wholly desirable, then, that the proposed 4ssociation should consider establishing a superannuation scheme.
Since the outbreak of war a drivers' association would have been of the utmost value in dealing with the difficulties of food supplies experienced by those who cater for commercial-vehicle drivers. Different bodies have sought to improve matters, but it is apparent from the articles on this question published in the issue of "The Commercial Motor " dated August 15 that there has been little or no improvement in the situation. Had a strong and virile drivers' association been able to tackle the problem one cannot help assuming that licitter results would have been achieved. Whilst, admittedly, this in itself is a war-time probtem, the matter of supervision of hostels and those establishments catering for the needs of drivers is a definite post-war necessity.
Value of Drivers' Advice Bureau
Annther means by which the proposed organization could render a most valuable service is in establishing an advice bureau. Far too often drivers are in a state of total ignorance as to what they, should or should not do regarding statutory regulations. Many employers have, unnecessarily, lost to the Forces drivers who, when registering. gave inadequate or incorrect details.. The drivers, when ,left to their own devices, misunderstood the requirements of the Schedule, so that members are now in uniform who need never have been lost to the industry and whose services can be ill-spared. An advice bureau could further assist members by providing advice on legal matters, insurance, compensation, etc., and, in fact, upon all questions affecting a driver and his work. This service alone would prove of such value in itself as almost to justify the formation of an association.
As to the post-war position of road transport, many views have been expressed asoto the possibility of nationalization or the establishing of a Board of Control, but little or no attention appears to have been paid to the drivers' interests. Whatever the future destiny of the industry may be, any drivers' association which came into being should be accorded official status; it could then take its own important part in post-war planning.
In the ranks of commercial-vehicle driyers are many men of thoughtful outlook, possessed of original ideas and constructive ability. These men could make a valuable contribution to the work of reconstruction were they afforded some suitable medium of expression. An association on the lines of that suggested would provide the facilities.
It is, of course, recognized that there would be many difficulties to be contended with in establishing a new association, but it would appear that there is none which could not be overcome successfully with determinttion and goodWill. Attendance at meetings, etc., might not be too easy for long-distance drivers, but there are the men who, in large numbers, have more or less regular daily hours of work and who, therefore, would be in a position to take an active part. This particularly applies to the drivers of the C licensees, who are more favoured than many of their brothers owing to the nature of their work. The suggestion of Mr. Carter for either full or part-time representatives in the different areas is necessary and desirable.
Sufficient has been written—admittedly on broad lines— to indicate how usefully a drivers' association could function and provide a valuable service to its members. Fundamentally, membership should *be open to all drivers of
commercial vehicles. Before, however, dealing with details, it will be necessary for some indicati‘n to be expressed as to the reception which is likely to be accorded to the proposed scheme for the establishment of a repre sentative association for drivers. No doubt interested persons will get into touch with the Editor of "The Commercial Motor," who—as will be remembered from the
leader recently published offered the resources of the journal to the forwarding of this cause.