Allowance rise upheld by DoE
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A 0.25 a night rise in subsistence levels for drivers in the Leeds and Bradford areas does not break the pay code — and that is official.
A department of Employment spokesman confirmed this week that the agreement does not break the pay code because it covers a 15 month period.
The controversial award was made after more than 100 drivers in the area stopped work and refused to take part in discussions on other issues until the award was made.
Immediately the DoE stepped in and asked both the Transport and General Workers Union and the employers to justify the increase which brings subsistence to £5.75 a night.
Leeds TGWU regional trade group secretary Mike Davey told CM that the men were basing their claim for the award on changes in the motorway network, which meant that drivers were forced to use the more expensive motorway service stations.
This week a spokesman for the Road Haulage Association commented: "If that's the decision then we shall have to abide by it I suppose, what the hell can we do otherwise?"
The agreement means that the Leeds and Bradford men now have possibly the highest subsistence level in the country and there were fears that the award would lead to claims for more elsewhere.
Mr Davey told CM "the pay code is quite specific that there are certain norms which should not be exceeded — but it also says that if circumstances have changed since the last award then the adjustments above those norms are allowed."
The agreement is based on the fact that it is to run for 15 months. The DoE accepted the £1.25 award because of the time involved.
Their spokesman said that the Department had originally accepted a E1 rise in subsistence as the norm for a 12 month agreement