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C's tough new deal

22nd July 1993, Page 5
22nd July 1993
Page 5
Page 5, 22nd July 1993 — C's tough new deal
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"It is an onerous document which puts certain responsibilities on owner drivers which I believe places them in an impossible situation."

But ARC disagrees. It says standing guarantor for a hire purchase agreement was at the manager's discretion and not written into a document,

It adds the deal will give fran

chisees an "exciting opportunity" to expand their business.

Until now contractors have been forced to work solely for the aggregates firm.

But with the new contract, they will be free to use their trucks to carry for competitors or even diversify into distributing such goods as coal and sugar beet, says ARC South Western's operations director, David Sharman.

And they will still be able to buy their insurance and trucks through ARC to benefit from the negotiating power the firm has in getting discounts.

"It allows individuals or truck firms to have the benefit of the ARC livery and all of the benefits associated with it including being part of a professional working fleet," he adds.

But Binns says the mandatory livering of franchisees' trucks will only restrict them in carrying for other people.

Drivers too have reservations: "There are an awful lot of fears about it. It would be okay if you could be guaranteed enough work to meet running costs," says one driver who has worked for ARC for seven years. "It's Thursday today and I've done only two loads this week I need to do five or six loads a day to pay hire purchase. diesel and tax bills. I fear that a great deal of operators like me could end up going to court and become bankrupt by not meeting their truck payments."

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People: David Sharman

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