The silent majority
Page 4
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=OR YEARS the United Road Transport Union has adopted a strongly iggressive attitude to the tachograph. It has been voluble on the issue at ?very opportunity. Its officials have said no matter if the stronger TGWU iccept, URTU will never agree to the tacho law.
URTU has almost pre-judged the outcome of its biennial conference this 'ear.
Almost is the operative word because, at the eleventh hour, all URTU's nembers now have the opportunity to be involved. The invitation in this nonth's union .newspaper, Wheels, asking members to send their views to inion headquarters, is a positive and democratic step.
It could be argued that URTU's stand against the tacho was taken in efiance of TGWU, whose opposition has now evaporated. It might also be rgued that since a large sector of URTU's membership would not be affected -they are door-to-door salesmen and therefore exempt — that its pposition was a publicity stunt.
There are those who would say that URTU is too small to matter anyway. How cogent these considerations are can be argued elsewhere. What is nportant is that the membership is being consulted. The fact that ichographs may not be favoured will not alter the law; but members' Ivolvement shows a new and welcome attitude of trade union officials. If the "silent majority" had been ncouraged to become involved in nion affairs the need for trade union .form might never have arisen. 'erhaps even yet it is not too late for thers to follow URTU's example.