Danny Bryan T&G Road Transport National Sunday Monday Leave home
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in Reading by car at 06:30hrs and arrive at the office in London at 07:30hrs. My regular routine if I'm in the office is to make tea on arrival and check my post and paperwork. I try to get as much on the dictaphone as early as possible before the phone starts ringing. I need to deal with routine letters from officers, shop stewards and members regarding responses to Government consultation papers and deal with the daily routine of an office. Prepare some files for meetings during the week and diary arrangements with my secretary. In the afternoon I meet with some senior regional officers and national officer Ron Webb to discuss issues affecting the union. We concentrate on preparing for recruitment and organisation campaigns and examine the results of a driver care scheme which, among other benefits, provides protection for loss of licence (the Holy Grail!). Later I receive reports on recent pay campaigns and settlements and note with interest a new pay deal with the West Midlands road hauliers for £5 an hour, rising to £6 in two years.
Tuesday Leave home at 05:15hrs to travel to Brussels for a meeting at 10:00hrs to discuss the Working Time Directive with European trade union and employer representatives. We've been trying to reach an agreement for several months to arrive at a joint position which can go on to the European Commission as our recommendation. We're still struggling with the definition of work and rest periods. The meeting goes on all day and we adjourn for further discussion. Time is running out because the Commission has indicated that it will make up its own mind if we can't decide on a joint union-employer position.
Wednesday Catch the 07:45hrs train to Birmingham for a meeting with BRS shop stewards to report back on pay negotiations.There are 80 shop stewards there from all over the UK with two observers from Northern Ireland. Details of a pay offer have already been circulated so members' views have already been canvassed. The employers' offer is unanimously rejected with a call for further negotiation.
Thursday Arrive at the office at 07:50hrs for a quarterly meeting of the national committee consisting of members from all over the UK. Report to the committee on developments in pay negotiations, the union's membership recruitment and organisation, and discussions with MPs and the Department of Transport. Also discuss the Working Time Directive and the campaign to get grandfather rights for diabetic drivers—which has now been won. The meeting ends at 16:00hrs and I go to Kings Cross to catch a train to Leeds ready for tomorrow.
Friday Breakfast at 08:00hrs with a shop steward from White Arrow Express who updates me on recent developments within the company. We exchange views on the recent bid for Argos and the effect on the business and members' jobs. At 09:30hrs go to White Arrow offices to meet company to discuss 1998 pay review and proposed pension scheme. Spend all day in negotiations with a team of 12 lay members and three full-time officers. We make some progress but are not able to reach a conclusion. Arrange a further meeting. At 16:00hrs cadge a lift to Chester as this weekend European transport ministers are meeting here. Meet UK Transport Minister Gavin Strang to discuss transport issues at home and in Europe; we're joined by some colleagues from Brussels. Gavin provides the beer and sandwiches...
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