UNION THREAT TO HAULIERS
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OF STATE STEEL TRAFFIC By John Darker
Nottingham branch of the TGWU is trying to prevent road haulage firms which have not signed trade union agreements from carrying traffic from the nationalized Stanton and Staveley iron works.
Seven local Labour MPs have been asked to support the branch's view that BRS should control road transport from the works and sub-contract to private enterprise hauliers if necessary.
Although the bulk of traffic from Stanton and Staveley goes by rail substantial tonnages are sent by road at standard rates. About a dozen operators including BRS are concerned. And BRS would profit substantially if it held the exclusive operating franchise.
Mr. I. A. Sheldon, North Midland district manager of BRS, was surprised to hear of this development on Wednesday. Mr. W. Morton, area secretary of the RHA was on holiday and the Nottingham area office staff were not aware of the move.
But RHA members with an interest in the traffic are most concerned. A prominent haulier commented: "If I had this franchise for two years I reckon I could retire on the proceeds".
Mr. Ray Thorpe, TGWU district organizer, told me on Wednesday he was not concerned with the business aspect of the move.
"It is purely a union matter raised in the interests of the membership", he said. But he agreed that the Nottingham branch initiative could be copied nationally, resulting in the maintenance by BRS traffic staffs of registers of unionapproved private hauliers.