Challenge strike ends
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• Following talks with officials of the United Road Transport Union at Sheffield, the managing director of a Chesterfield civil engineering company has changed his mind about closing its transport division.
A little over three weeks ago Mr P. Mullan, of Mullan Brothers Ltd, challenged the 25 drivers and their union to run this division of the business at a profit for a year—if they could.
This followed a strike over the dismissal of a driver and over a dispute concerning the company's pay structure. When the man refused to return to work or take up his challenge Mr Mullan closed his haulage section and issued dismissal notices to the staff.
Earlier this week, after the meeting with the URTU officials, Mr Mullan told CM that a settlement had been agreed which was satisfactory to both sides and in these changed circumstances he was prepared to open the transport side of the business again. Fortunately, he said, most of his customers were long and loyal ones and he did not think the strike, serious though it had been, had lost much business.
CM understands that the settlement involved a productivity agreement and wage variation which will give the men more money. Previously they had been averaging between £28 and £38 per week over the year: 12 of the drivers returned to work at the beginning of this week and the remainder are to follow in stages as customers resume their business.