Freddie Plaskett
Page 30
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Freddie Plaskett's report on the final day of the conference was much as expected. He ran through the RHA's membership services and called on members to make a success of Cargofax — before it is too late.
He wasted no time in making a further response to Peter Thompson who, earlier in the week, had advocated the "association of the excellent". He said that although he had doubts about such an elitist band of hauliers, he would pursue the line of amalgamation if the RHA national council suggested it. There would be no obstruction from me, he said.
"Your chief executive is here to pursue those policies recommended by your executive board which are endorsed by your national council. Whatever else can be said about the RHA, it is an impressively democratic organisation."
He also warned delegates to consider very carefully the assets, the progress, the virility and the potential of thf, RHA before embarking on a plan to amalgamate with others.
The RHA's dialogue with the Department of Transport is close enough for the department to agree to send a minister and a team of officials across Europe to be with us, said Mr Plaskett. And it does not stop there.
"Soon, your national chairman and I will be seeing the new Secretary of State in his office to discuss with him the problems and issues facing the industry. So much for those meanminded and tight-fisted hauliers who refuse to join their trade association an the grounds that it had no clout where it counts. That view has proved to be nonsense in 1983 alone. We maintain a constant dialogue with Whitehall on your behalf. It is the most important single activity of your association."
In Mr Plaskett's own words, visibility is the name of the game. With that in mind, there are plans to spread the RHA's word to a wider audience.
"When the recession fades and we have more money available the first department at head office to be expanded will be the public relations department. I believe in communication and I believe in visibility. You can help us to achieve and maintain both."
Membership losses are now slowing dramatically with several districts currently showing net monthly gains in membership, said Mr Plaskett. Financially, the RHA has managed "to keep more or less on an even keel" despite the overall loss in members.
Turning to the future, Mr Plaskett told his delegates that they can look forward to a reorganised and "bang up-to-date RHA barking loudly on behalf of all its members". The association will be speaking up for the industry at every available opportunity and will provide its members with cost-effective services to help them conduct their businesses more efficiently and profitably. But he warned them that they will only get the asso ciation they deserve.
Mr Plaskett also paid tribute to the DTp officials who attended the conference and eased the minds of many disgruntled hauliers on the issue of the 1982 Transport Act (see page four ).
The delegates' response to Mr Plaskett's speech and to those Dip officials and others will be detailed in next week's CM.