ME drivers want to break pay freeze
Page 5
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
RTH OF ENGLAND hauliers' lone stance against any wage inase this year has still to be broken, but Transport and General Ar Eggleston described the IWU suggestion as "ludilus", and joined RHA area :retary Denis Le Conte in say ing that hauliers would use a strike as an easy way of closing their businesses.
He added that many drivers have already indicated that they are not prepared to go on stike this year, and he is pinning his faith on talks between the two sides producing agreement.
Mr Eggleston said that industrial action would only be considered if talks break down completely.
He echoed Teesside colleague John Yates' warning (CM, Jan
uary 10) that Northern hauliers might be refused backloads in some areas if they continue to pay 1980 wages. Already, Scot tish TGWU officials have indicated that a ban could be imple mented, as the £6 gap in basic rates between the two areas is very significant.
But there is a hint that the employers' ranks may be breaking.
Mr Eggleston tqld CM of a Blyth haulier who has gone against the official RHA stance by paying his drivers a £5 across-the-board increase which gives drivers a basic of £82 for Class 1 work.
Meanwhile, TGWU officials have agreed to recommend a £4 a-week increase in Southern England, taking the basic for top weight drivers from £77 to £81 for 40 hours. Subsistence goes up from £8.75 to £9.25, and there is a recommendation that employers provide protective clothing.
But Devon and Cornwall employers failed this week to reach agreement with TGWU negotiators on their new wage rates. An undisclosed offer was made, and talks resume on February 3.