• Union leaders are threatening a blockade of every major
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port serving the UK in a bid to win concessions for drivers caught carrying illegal immigrants.
The threat by the United Road Transport Union (URTU) was made after a meeting with immigration officials and the Road Haulage and Freight Transport associations.
URTU spokesman Doug Curtis says the meeting in London showed there was no chance of hauliers and drivers winning any concessions on the issue. 'A blockade of every port into and out of Great Britain is the only way they will start listening," he adds.
URTU is in talks with unions elsewhere in Europe and believes disruptive action would be supported by the employers' organisations.
Gordon Linington, head of international trade for the FTA, says it was unrealistic to expect concessions to follow directly from the meeting.
He wants certificates issued for every vehicle that is checked and says these should be an automatic defence against any penalty being imposed.
Based on figures released at the meeting, he believes that four in every five operators who receive penalties are appealing against them.
• DTS Haulage in Beal near Wakefield wants to organise a blockade of Liverpool, Hull and Dover ports as a protest against high fuel duties. Contact: 07720 074830 or email taz100@beeb.net.