Mendip tipper men continued from page 15 A considerable number
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of proposals have been bandied about between the operators and the Western Roadstone Centre since November last, until, as one operator told me, he had lost track of what the latest proposals are, but he was quite clear that the new structure would not meet the operators' demands. -The rate increases are still running behind cost increases and the operators are more determined than ever," he said.
I asked Mr. Cox about the possibility of Strike action which had been suggested. He said this was a word which often cropped up but it would be necessary to await the outcome of the meeting. The operators would have to decide whether to accept the new structure, but he would not hint at any action that might be taken if the decision went against acceptance of the proposals. When I talked to Mr. M. G. Seviour, secretary of the Mendips Tipper Operators' Committee, he preferred the term "withdrawal of transport", but he confirmed that this was the only alternative to acceptance and as the group Consisted of some 350 members operating 700/1.000 vehicles, this action would have a considerable effect on the quarry owners.
The committee have partially agreed to the new proposals, provided some modifications are made, including a 2t per cent increase from December 1 to compensate for the loss of increased revenue since April 1 when the new agreement was originally expected to come into force but was delayed to await possible changes in the April budget.
Later I spoke to Mr. R. Bartlett chairman of the Western Roadstone Centre who, first, did not attach particular significance to the meeting and, secondly, was not aware of any great feeling of dissatisfaction with the rates structure. He said relations with the operators were good and he saw no reason for departure from this now. He also denied that this rate structure was due to come into force on April 1, although he agreed that from the quarry owners' point of view April was always the best date for revision of rates because of their tendering programmes.
I am led to believe that feeling is running high among the tipper operators and at the time of going to press a very lively meeting is expected.
The South Gloucester tipper operators, whose area adjoins the Mendips operators', are faced with the same rate structure and they are having their meeting a week lethr on September 5. after the rates have taken effect.
It may well be that any decision taken last night will be followed by the South Gloucester operators before their meeting.
A report of the Mendips operators' meeting will appear in next week's CM.