Do Drivers Need An Association?
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A FrER many comments from us on .1-1.the subject of the possibility, and advisability of starting an association purely for drivers of goods and passenger vehicles, and mainly enthusiastic comments from a few members of the industry, the project has" apparently come to a, perhaps temporary, standstill.
This may have been dile to the very clever seizure of the opportunity by the secretaries of the two transport unions principally concerned with the driving personnel of the industry. They put forward such comprehensive claims that, in the face of these, an association might, by many people, be considered as somewhat superfluous. It is not for us, but for the men occupied in the industry, to decide whether or not they need any other body to take up the cudgels in their interests and to assist in developing and fostering between them that spirit of camaraderie which so well exemplifies the principle of a real democracy.
We emphasized on several orcesions that we would deprecate any efforts to limit or encroach upon what might be regarded as being the true preserves of the unions. The idea, as put forward by us , and certain of the mess interested, concerned somettring more in the nature of a club, and, perhaps, it was an error to use the term "association "—yet evezy. club is an associa":
tion of interests. That, for example, the Bedford Drivers' Club stood so high in the opinion of its many members was because it gave them something more than was provided by the unions. Admittedly, this was partially because the members all shove the same make of vehicle, but, in our view, this was not the only reason.
'What we visualized was something on the lines of a huge extension of a club of this type, but one which would cover the drivers of every make of vehicle, whilst providing additional facilities and conveniences in respect of meetings, lectures and 'advice. • There mat be thousands of men engaged in road transport who do not,. at present, belong to any union or other body of standing which can help to Promote their well being and comfort, That they have not responded in large numbers to the suggestions made is probably not because they arc in any way opposed to the formation of such a club or associatickn, but for the reason that their time is, during the'war period, so fully occupied that they have few spells of quietude during which they can really study the pros and cons of the matter.
It may well be that, later, in the „halcyon days which we all hope will follow the cessation of hostilities, they will have more time at their disposal ,to enter more deeply into discussions on the subject, or may be able to attend meetings organized in various parts of the country.
We shall, of course, be pleased to give the benefit of our advice and to render any other assistance we can.
" The Commercial Motor " is, naturally, a journal intended chiefly to benefit operators, and whilst we have a considerable number of readers in the driving fraternity we cannot claim that all the men so engaged are able to, peruse our pages, particularly is this the case in this period of drastic restrictions upon our paper supplies.
We, therefore, suggest, that those amongst our driver readers who have . followed the various arguments far and against an association of this type should, when suitable opportunity occurs, dtruss the matter with their fellow workers and endeavouk to form something like a comprehensive picture of their views, which we shall be pleased to publish as and when circumstances permit.