Barbara approves 'model deal'
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During her visit to Glasgow on Friday Mrs. Barbara Castle congratulated Mr. Alex. Kitson, general secretary of the Scottish Commercial Motormen's Union, for his initiative in negotiating a productivity agreement this week wit1-. Scottish private hauliers under which 2,500 workers will receive up to 25s a week more on the basic rate. She said she would not oppose the agreement which union leaders say could be a model for the British private haulage industry.
The new agreement has been struck with 13 companies covering the largest individual contractors in Scotland and has brought an improvement in wages, better subsistence allowance and a new holidays agreement.
Payments structure based on carrying capacity remains, but two new categories have been added: drivers who operate on hauls up to 100 miles, and drivers over that figure.
A 5 per cent increase in basic rate for men operating up to 100 miles has been conceded, The driver will lose the increase if he is off work without reasonable excuse, e.g., if he is unable to produce a medical certificate.
In return for agreement for increased running time in the hour, in the over-100-miles sector, an increase has been granted of five per cent without strings, plus 10s. This means increases ranging from 22s a week to 24s a week. In addition, subsistence has been improved by 2s a night to a new minimum of 25s.
Next year the employers will grant a further week's paid holiday based on length of service.
One further meeting between the union and employers is to be held to fix an operative date for payment of the increases.