May I inform E. W. Russell (CM, January 13) that
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I am well aware of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 and all the other Acts concerning our industry, as well as the flood of legislation that has come from the EEC.
The RHA is a trade association and its duty to its members is to act on all matters not in their interest, and this includes going to court if necessary. If nothing is gained by this, it is then their duty to call for action from members. In other words, they should take a leaf out of the trade unions' book.
Clearly they are not prepared to go to court, as was the case with the rates recommendations, and, as far as action goes, anyone would think that this is an unforgiveable sin. So they just sit back and take everything that is thrown at them, the excuse being that this is a law-abiding nation.
If we in the industry were to abide by all the laws that exist, we would never get through half the work in a week that we do now.
Not only should they have continued to recommend rates, but should also have pressed for tariffication to be introduced. There would have been no problem here, as it is already practised in some EEC countries, so they would not be acting against any European legislation. Tariffication is also used in the USA, and our opposite numbers over there are in a far healthier state than we are.
Tariffication will have to be used to get the industry back on the road to recovery. It is the only way there is to stop operators working for uneconomical rates. It will give those who trade in haulage only a greater return on capital invested. It will also stop those who have other interests from working for ridiculous rates as they do at present.
The owner-driver will have more protection as it will be impossible for them to be exploited by sub-contracting hauliers and clearing houses.
Whatever happens, the owner-drivers have everything going for them at the present time, if only they will grasp the opportunities open to them by joining together in co-operatives all over the country.
They have no problems in obtaining advice on how to start, as there are Harry Boland and George Kelly, of the North Humberside Owner Drivers Association, on the end of the telephone at 0482 226341 in the North and I myselt am on Egham 5402 in the South. We are all prepared to travel any distance to attend meetings once a group gets together.
On February 19, 1978 we are organising a conference at the Post House Hotel, Narborough Road, Leicester, at 12 noon, where we will be launching a national association to which all co-operatives will be affiliated. It is in the interest of all owner-drivers to attend, as it can only be to their advantage.
Finally, may I endorse George M. Read's comments in the last paragraph of his letter (CM, January 13) by saying yes, let's get together, but in a new association, and give the RHA "the boot."
MIKE WELLS, Egham