'We told you so' says RHA of drivers' strike
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ROAD Haulage Association National Chairman John Silbermann has blamed the actions of Secretary of State for Employment Albert Booth for causing the lorry drivers dispute.
Speaking last weekend at the RHA Metropolitan Area annual dinner, Mr Silbermann said the dispute need never have arisen had it not been for Albert Booth dismantling the road haulage industry wages negotiating machinery a year ago, against the wishes of the RHA.
"We told the Government then that its action was likely to lead to disruption, and we were proved right. I place the blame for the tremendous damage done by the strike, for the loss of jobs and business, on this Government action".
Mr Silbermann stressed the RHA's role in helping the lorry to become more acceptable and its essential job understood by the public, and he urged members to attend the first RHA Transport Show in Brighton later in the year. In a speech to Hull RHA members the previous evening, Mr Silbermann felt it was important to correct some of the erroneous impressions given by the media during the drivers dispute in January.
He said: "Let us remember that at least three out of every four lorry drivers in the employ of road hauliers remained loyally at work. Let us also remember that out of the minority who struck, a goodly number did so under duress and intimidation".
The importance of unity amongst hauliers was important to Mr Silbermann, and he emphasised the need for uniting under the RHA banner.
He said hauliers who "are not RHA members are at risk of undermining our strength and unity and at the same time missing out on vital information and help that the RHA is capable of providing".
He concluded: "In recent months we have seen a steady growth in membership — now at 15,300 firms — but I would want to see this figure grow nearer 20,000 firms before I am truly satisfied that the majority of responsible haulage businesses are carrying their fair share of the burden."
To help this Mr Silbermann urged the area members to convert non-RHA members to join the Association.