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Can drivers cope with new docks hours?

28th August 1970, Page 16
28th August 1970
Page 16
Page 16, 28th August 1970 — Can drivers cope with new docks hours?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• Concern that road hauliers may not be able to cope with the longer working hours at London docks, presaged by the probable implementation of Devlin Plan Stage II next month, has been expressed in several quarters since agreement by the TGWU tally clerks on Monday gave the go-ahead to the port's modernization scheme.

Mr Eric Russell, RHA secretary, said that he thought all firms, big and small, would run in to considerable difficulties brought about by the drivers' hours restrictions. "There are", he said, "exemptions for various classes of work under the hours regulations, but they don't apply to dock work." He gave support to Mr George Harris, RHA Metropolitan and South-East region secretary, who had warned that the Devlin deal could be undermined if lorries were not available to carry road traffic during the port's new two-shift working hours. Mr Walter Lewis, the London port employers' chairman, has requested a meeting with the RHA to discuss the goods transport implications and it is likely that the Association will be pressing the Transport Minister to relax Transport Act 1968 restrictions on drivers' hours where exports are concerned. Only one point of disagreement prevented a date being fixed for the implementation of Devlin Stage II at a docks organization meeting on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the modernization committee said later: "We are still keeping our fingers crossed for September 21."