Dismissals in Midland Dispute
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BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
A BIRMINGHAM haulage firm whose drivers had been on unofficial strike for seven weeks in connection with a pay claim gave them notice of dismissal this week. The Stechford, Birmingham depot of Millichamp Haulage Ltd. is at a complete standstill. A management spokesman commented on Wednesday: "This dispute has been very damaging. It will have far-reaching effects on the business ". Millichamp will have difficulty in replacing the drivers. Union officials claim that no union members would dream of accepting a job there.
Hauliers in Birmingham are extremely bitter about the dispute, which started on September 8. As recorded in The Commercial Motor, it followed a meeting between 11 Midland haulage firms, including Millichamp, at which Mr. A. D. Law, regional trade group secretary of the commercial services section of the Transport and General Workers' Union demanded a £2 a week " local " increase on the basic rate.
This was rejected and the demand was immediately stepped up to £3 with corresponding increases in overtime payments; this would have meant an increase of between £4 and £5 a week. The 11 turns rejected the claim but were prepared for it to go to national level.
On September 7, men at Atlas Express Ltd. struck in support of the demand and were followed the next day by 22 drivers at Millichamp. There was strike action at other firms but by September 21 all the men had gone back except those at Millichamp.
ft is believed in management circles that the reason for leaving Millichamp holding the baby was that the strike was being unofficially financed by union members who could not afford to keep it going at more than one firm. Millichamp was picked out of a hat. It was felt that if the firm could be forced to submit. the door would be opened for drivers at the other firms to press the claim.
Mr. R. Millichamp, the stricken firm's managing director, told me: "Our London manager was told by a shop steward that at one firm the strike would continue and that unless the claim was met they would break the firm. That firm, presumably, was us. I have suggested to Mr. Law that this was nothing more than industrial blackmail."
Mr. J. Parnell, RHA area secretary, said the dispute had been continued to satisfy one particular union official. He went on: "As soon as a claim is rejected this man uses threats and unconstitutional action." Mr. Parnell said it should be made clear that Millichamp had not sacked the strikers, nine of whom had found other jobs. After giving them an opportunity to return, they had just assumed that they did not wish to work there any longer. He pointed out that Millichamp drivers had been well paid. The average wage was £22 10s. a week for driving between 500 and 550 miles.
Mr. Law commented: "This strike is not unconstitutional. It is individual action taken by the men in this firm in pursuance of a wage claim. They do not accept that they have been dismissed and they tell me they will sit outside the depot until Millichamp agrees to negotiate."
He said that the strikers had not asked for the dispute to be declared official and denied that Millichamp had been picked out of a hat.
MONT BLANC TUNNEL OPEN TO LORRIES THE Mont Blanc road tunnel linking France and Daly has now been opened to heavy goods vehicles (except on Sundays and French and Italian public holidays) but charges are higher than those originally announced in June. The tunnel authorities emphasize that vehicles must be able to maintain at least 50 k.p.h. (30.1 m.p.h.) on a gradient of 2.4 per cent (about I in 40). Charges are:— Lorries with or without trances; From 2.5 to 5 tons payload capacity, 7,500 lira by day and 6,300 by night; 5 Ions but less than 10 tons, 12.700 (9,500): 10 tons but less than 20 Ions 19,000 (14.200): over 20 tons, 25,400 (19.000).
Articulated vehicles; Less than 10 tons 'capacity, 12,700 (9.500 night): 10 Ion but less than 20 lona. 19.000 (14,200); 20 tons or more. 25,000 (19.000).
The rate of exchange is shorn 1.740 lira to the E.
The night and day rates come into force at 8 p,m, and 8 a.m.