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Driver influence

28th March 1975, Page 44
28th March 1975
Page 44
Page 44, 28th March 1975 — Driver influence
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The extent to which driver acceptance -and in a wider sense' trade union approval -affects vehicle design and selection cameā€¢ through strongly at last week's unique meeting (reported elsewhere in this issue) between brewery fleet managers and engineers and senior executives from the truck makers.

There's a particular reason for this in the brewery industry, not simply because it is one with very strong traditions and labour practices built up over centuries rather than years, but because much of the work is still heavy, and men who have to heft barrels and casks and crates are prone to a steady share of sprains and other injuries. One of the fleet engineers at the meeting made the point that the argument for long-lived vehicles was no longer really valid, since an outdated vehicle became unacceptable to crews. Another, making the point that seating comfort was important, revealed that even company doctors can get involved these days in assessing the suitability of a driving seat.

Even more revealing was the comment by one manager that however much they strove for more efficient, cost-saving vehicles, they were going to be committed to retaining three-men crews because these establishment levels were built into agreements. on how to curb inflation, the danger of increasing unemployment and of the worsening disparities. The various summit conferences which were called to get the Community moving again brought more disappointments than improvements. Starved of information, public opinion has gradually become estranged from the European idea. As a result, Member States turn in upon themselves, even though they realize that there can be no national cure to ills which are on a world scale."

The Committee has long been keen on giving the institutions of the EEC a more democratic basis strengthening the European Parliament at the expense of the bureaucratic Commission. Amen to that.

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Organisations: European Parliament

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