36 GOODS TRANSPORT/LICENSING
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Local wage deals
• Since 1965, when Mr. A llenL aw, Transport and General Workers Union organizer for the Birmingham area, established the Birmingham differential, haulage contractors in the area have been faced with a series of demands for wage increases. In many instances these demands have been made at local level and not through the National Negotiating Committee. The latest increase agreement was signed recently by Mr. J. Male, of Brierley Hill, who claimed that he had signed the agreement under duress and threat. It is understood that failure to meet the demand results in a withdrawal of labour which is not always supported by the TGWU headquarters in London.
Mr. Male estimates that his signature in this case will cost his company about £250 per week, in return for which he can now schedule his vehicles for an average speed of 28 mph, an increase of 6 mph over the previous agreement.
There are reports this week that similar activities are taking place in Hull, Bradford and Leeds. One operator, J. B. Midgley of Leeds, has called on the Road Haulage Association to make representation on behalf of its members to have all wage claims settled by the National Negotiating Committee and not by local agreement.
A spokesman for the RHA told CM that the association was assessing the situation. It is understood that the Leeds and District Hauliers Federation has also approached the RHA on this subject.