Roadline's 3.25
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ROADLINE UK shop stewards are to meet in Birmingham this weekend to discuss what action should be taken against the company.
Roadline's management decided to implement a 3.25 per cent wage increase without the agreement, or knowledge, of Transport and General Workers Union negotiators. The union had made it clear that the company's action does not mean its members accept the changes in terms and conditions, and is pressing for a greater pay rise.
The national stewards meeting can be taken as a strong pointer as to what action the TGWU will decide oficiatly to take against the company.
Roadline's Bristol and Gloucester depots staged a one day strike last Friday in protest against the company's action.
Roadline is also refusing to raise a 3.25 per cent salary increase to staff represented by the Transport Salaried Staff Association, but has still to try to impose this.
TSSA assistant general secretary Norman Hitchen told CM that Roadline's offer was not acceptable, but was by no means the only company still to settle its salary levels for this year. Fleetcare, which like Roadline lost money last year, has made an ''unacceptable" final offer of 2.5 per cent plus a 0.32 adjustment.
BRS settled eventually for a 4.5 per cent plus 0.32 per cent increase, with a half-hour reduction in the working week. It is National Freight's most successful group.
Mr Hitchen said that NFC's general claims of "glossy accounts" contrast with "doom and gloom" when he participates in wage negotiations.