Bias towards unions, claims
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Long bridge Group INDUSTRIALB CYOORURRESPONDENT MR. RON CARRINGTON, chairman of the Longbridge Group of oar delivery agents has written to Mr. Michael Stewart, Economics Minister, protesting at the Government ban on any action which would prevent what they call "severe financial hardship".
The Government seven weeks ago froze payment of 15s. to 25s. a week to 450 drivers for an alleged productivity deal. The deal, which involved carrying cars on return trips to the Midlands, included cutting the number of hours worked by the drivers.
Mr. Carrington's protest is based on news that MT. Stewart has received documentary evidence from the unions which the employers have not had a chalice to see. He views Mr. Stewart's action as an unfair bias towards the unions and also protests at the "apparently leisurely approach" on the Government's part.
The Group has withdrawn for the moment their threat to pay the increases which would ensure that the drivers carry cars both to and from the Midlands. But it is stressed that the 16 companies in the group are losing money. One is said to be losing £500 a week.
The most outrageous part, says Mr. Carrington, is that other firms are finding a way round the order and carrying return cars. "Those who are carrying out Government instructions are being penalized right down the line," he says.