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FIGHT ON!
Page 23
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I believe that British truck drivers have very legitimate cause for complaint over the way the government treats us, specifically about the 'penalties' given when illegal immigrants are found in our trailers or trucks as we enter the UK. I have consistently campaigned against being forced to be an unpaid frontier guard for racist immigration policies.
Three people were found by Immigration Services when I shipped into Dover on ajourney from Milan to Dublin. I was served with a notice demanding £6,000 penalty payment, which was subsequently withdrawn.
It would appear to be against natural justice that drivers and small owneroperators such as Michael Keats (CM 9-15 Jan) should have to pay their fines on two points: if!, and people like me, have had our `penalties' annulled, then why not people like him? On the second point, it is quite against any reasonable interpretation of the term 'natural justice' for him to have to pay, as was made quite clear in that issue.
I believe all international freight drivers should fight against this injustice from within the Transport and General Workers Union. We must raise this issue in Branch and Trade Group meetings and ensure that the power and strength of the T&G is used on behalf of truck drivers on this issue.
With regard to the lack of natural justice in my being let off and others having to pay, I will make the documents pertaining to my case available to drivers still fighting for a refund, for use in any legal process or campaign to obtain justice.
You can contact me on my mobile phone (07989 851602). Rachael Webb Secretary, Socialist Truck Drivers, Einghton.