Mendips tipper men threaten 'strike'
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by David Lowe
• Mendips tipper operators have been offered a new rate structure by the Western Roadstone Centre which is effectively worse than that which has been in operation since April 1968.
An open meeting was held last night by the operators to decide whether to accept the new scale of rates which is to be put into operation on September 1 this year and to remain in force until April 1 1970. The new scale would provide an increase of approximately 6 per cent on the existing tarmacadam rates but for dry stone no increase would be applicable up to 60 miles and only a very marginal increase above 60 miles.
Mr. J. Cox, secretary of the Western Area RHA, told me this week that, while the new scale is marginally better than the existing one, it is not what was wanted and it would not provide as good a return compared with operating costs as the previous agreement at the time it took effect on April 1 1968. This previous agreement was in operation until March 31 1969 with a 21 per cent increase included from October 1 1969. The only other increases in the rates since this agreement have been two small amounts to cover additional fuel tax and they certainly did not match the overall increases in operating costs during the period.