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Scots anger builds to protest levels
Page 6
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The WM has left a lot of angry operators out there — but are they
angry enough to take to the streets? Chris Tindall reports.
A GROUNDSWELL OF dismay among Scottish operators over the Working Time Directive and rocketing fuel prices looks set to spark off protests before the election.
The depth of anger north of the border was laid bare at recent meetings organised by operators when an overwhelming majority of those present voted for a "holiday" from work for up to a week.
As CM went to press, the Road Haulage Association was preparing to meet Scottish members and discuss the options. However, the association is distancing itself from any direct action that would disrupt fuel supplies or is illegal.
Jim Macauley, boss of Cadzow Heavy Haulage, says 200 operators, owner-drivers and quarrymen met in Forfar last week; a further 220 were present at another meeting on 22 April in Stirling. Operator Rob Howie reports:"I went down there and it was standing room only. It was a very, very lively meeting. There was a feeling the WTD should never have been introduced.
"The bug bear was that France, Germany and Spain are ignoring it, but we have rolled over and accepted it."
The RHA's Phil Flanders says: "The WTD is having a most serious effect in Scotland because they have to drive further than in England."
The operators' official spokesman, Andy Swierczek, hopes the RI-IA will support any action and emphasises it will be-100% legal": "Ideally we want the complete abandonment of the WTD that would be wonderful -but the minimum is retaining the opt-out."
Swierczek believes the only effective and legal way to stop the supply of fuel from oil refineries and fuel depots is to ask tanker drivers not to pass a picket line: "Picketing fuel depots is the only way to stop the boys on the sidelines from taking our business too.
"It will be legal and definitely not violent. A lot of our customers are supporting us."
A Freight Transport Association spokesman sympathises with the operators but adds:-I'll be amazed if this so-called strike goes ahead. If you do stop work then your customer will find someone else