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dd I read Rachael Webb's Sound Off in Commercial Motor's 4-10 January issue with total understanding of
Page 48
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her frustration and her views regarding the current state of the freight transport industry.
Having previously worked for the former Owner Operators UK group which represented small companies and owner-drivers. I am currently a regional officer for URTU. Our membership consists of all types of freight workers, whether employed, self-employed or agency, operating in the UK and throughout the rest of Europe. As such, I believe URTU is the ideal organisation to successfully campaign on issues affecting the industry.
The real issues, of course, are: long and unsociable hours; little reward, either in terms of pay or profit; and a total lack of
respect or appreciation by users, customers or the general public, of the vital role that road haulage workers play in today's society, Equally,! understand her concerns regarding today's union leaders.
It may well be that if, instead of spending their time setting up driver agencies and training schools to tackle the mass exodus of people from the industry, they had concentrated their efforts on dealing with the real issues that cause drivers to leave in the first place, members would be more appreciative and the industry would be in a better state.
Being a member of URTU, Rachael Webb is aware that we are currently seeking a new general secretary. I am a candidate in the election taking place next month and my commitment will indeed be to tackle these real issues.
However, where I strongly disagree with Rachael, and am sure that the vast majority of freight transport workers will likewise disagree, is with her suggested methods. Freight workers are most certainly not rats, nor are they lemmings who would blindly follow militant leaders over the cliff-edge of bankruptcy or unemployment.
Drivers joining blockades to force down the cost of fuel will not necessarily lead to their employers sharing savings with them through increased pay, nor will owner-drivers automatically increase their profits. It is more likely that customers will simply insist on rates being reduced to offset any fuel cost savings.
My experience is that there is now, at long last, a developing sense of realism in the industry.
Employers are beginning to understand that they need to improve conditions to retain professional drivers. Customers are realising that they have to pay an appropriate price for an effective and efficient distribution industry and the government is slowly introducing the type of legislation that enables the trades unions to represent their members effectively. Given the opportunity, I will not "betray" or "sell out" as Rachael puts it, but will demonstrate to all workers in freight transport that real improvements can be made through effective bargaining and for which I am only too willing to be "called to account".
If successful in the election, my first priorities will be to focus the Union's attention and resources on taking full advantage of legislation—to secure representation for individual members and the ability to provide effective collective bargaining structures that will enable the balance between good pay and quality family time. I will campaign to raise the profile of freight workers generally; to bring awareness, understanding and appreciation of the important and often difficult role our members play.
Who knows, I may even be able to restore Rachael's faith in trades union leaders!