Let's stand up for transport
Page 28
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by Richard Reed, Secretary, Continental Freight Drivers' Club THE BRITISH equivalent of that famous French lorry drivers' association Les Routiers is now established in the UK and it is seeking more members in order to increase the muscle of both drivers and operators.
Drivers provide an essential public service, but in my view have received scant recognition. for that from the public. And they are the subject of much ill-considered criticism.
We feel the time has come to act: we appeal to you, operators and drivers alike, to understand the need for our organisation; help us build our membership, we can then be more effective on your behalf.
The principal benefits of membership are: Membership of the UICR This European body -Union Internationale des Chauffeurs Routiers -consists of eight Western European countries representing some 600,000 professional hgv drivers. If a driver, for whatever reason, runs into trouble abroad, he is entitled to call upon the UICR for assistance. This assistance can range from visits in hospital to full legal representation. _ This benefit also helps the operator. Should a driver or vehicle run into trouble, it is probable that the UICR can get the lorry on the move again quicker than if the operator had to rely on his own resources. Bearing in mind the cost of keeviing a lorry on the road, this is a big saving. Essential insurance benefits available to the driver are automatically included as part of membership. These range from loss of personal possessions to ambulance and medical expenses.
Breakdown Of direct benefit to the operator is the arrangement that the club has with the Twyford Commercial Ltd, which offers a 10 per cent discount to all club members who take advantage of the service. This service covers not only the UK, but also Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
4 Advice The club is in a unique position to provide advice to operators and drivers who are either going to Europe for the first .time or who are visiting a European country they have not visited before. With proper practical advice, much time and money can be saved.
In addition to these and other benefits, the club intend to become a pressure group acting on behalf of drivers, bu believes strongly that often thf interests with drivers will coincide with the interests of operators. Examples of this are: 1) Better standards of catering and accommodation in the UK 2) Better roads.
3) An effective system of lorry routes in the UK 4) Cab safety.
The CFDC therefore feels that operators should take an interest in the club and encourage their drivers to join.
The club, even with its present membership, has already been able to bring pressure to bear on MPs involved with the Dock Work Bill (another issue which can vitally effect the operator) and has been able to get its own amendment tabled to be put forward by an MP on the Standing Committee. With a larger membership, the club could do so much more.
The club therefore this month is appealing to drivers and operators alike for more members.
All enquiries to: CFDC, 354 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9UH.