First wage claims in from port areas
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THE FIRST wage claims of the coming winter have been lodged by drivers in major port areas, but there is no sign yet of any response by employers, reports ALAN MILLAR.
Transport and General Workers Union regional officer Bob Robinson confirmed that a £6 per week claim, in line with national TGWU hire or reward group policy, had been lodged with Liverpool employers.
That would increase the 40hour basic rate to £100, and they also want the £11 subsistence rate increased to £13, and for the working week to be reduced without loss of earnings. Mr Robinson told CM that he would be seeking a reduction to 39 hours as a first instalment of an eventual reduction to 35 hours. He wants to discuss the matter with the Liverpool employers, but a Road Haulage Association spokesman said on Monday that no move is likely before mid-October. The agreement is not due to be renewed until January, but the TGWU is trying to achieve early settlements in the traditionally higher-paid port areas before settlements elsewhere drag down the average increase.
Meanwhile, the TGWU is seeking company agreements on a £7.27 supplement on the basic rate for Liverpool-based drivers operating 38 tonne lorries, So far, 10 companies have agreed to pay this, according to Mr Robinson.
Forty shop stewards representing drivers in the rest of the North West agreed last weekend to seek a £6 increase in basic pay and £2 on subsistence. No deal was agreed last winter, with employers' last offer being £88.50 and the union's last claim being £91 basic. A new claim will be lodged within days, Mr Robinson said.
Southern area drivers, where the TGWU organisation centres on Southampton, have submitted a £7 claim on their £90 basic rate. They want the £10.25 subsistence rate increased by £2, and for the guaranteed minimum earnings of £95 to be raised to £105.
They also want a shorter working week, a pension scheme, sickness and accident benefit to be raised by £5, for the compensation for loss of hgv licence to be increased, for holi day pay to be based on the individual's average wages, for £1 meal allowance on occasion, and for all weekend overtime to be paid at double-time rate.
The Road Haulage Association's industrial relations committee was meeting in London on Tuesday this week, when it was likely that these claims would be discussed. But as RHA policy is based firmly on devolution of such matters to regional negotiating groups, no policy guidelines were expected to emerge publicly afterwards.