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Union accepts tad°, but retains the discs
Page 5
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TRADE UNION resistance to the tachograph disappeared last week when the Transport and General Workers Union's lorry drivers agreed to accept it from January 1982, But they will try to stop management from using the information on the discs, writes ALAN MILLAR.
This follows the drivers' decisive rejection of the Union's road transport commercial group's call for industrial action in opposition to the tachograph.
Out of a membership of over 100,000 drivers, little more than 53,000 took part in the ballot, much to the Union's disappointment. Only 19,175 supported the policy, and 33,937 opposed it.
After an RTC group meeting in London last week, national secretary Jack Ashwell told me that the group had to take account of members' wishes, and drivers would abide by the law.
They will not operate tachographs during the twoyear fitting period, but will use them from January 1, 1982.
But the twist to this concession is that the union will insist that the discs should be given to management only long enough to be satisfied that a driver has kept within legal hours limits.
Mr Ashwell said they must then be handed to a shop steward who would hold the key to the cupboard in which they are kept.
He added: "Employers seem to be carrying the impression that they have a God-given right to information."
The question of bonus payments for accepting tachographs is not quite dead, but has been passed back to the Union's branches for their consideration. If they want to press for them, it will then become Union policy.
The Road Haulage Association had still to hear from Jack Ashwell when I contacted a spokesman, but said its first impression was that the Union was adopting a negative approach.
Drivers would be denied the opportunity of earning productivity bonuses during the fitting period, and he questioned whether it was strictly legal for shop stewards to be the discs' custodians.
He pointed out that the in dustry could use the fitting period as a practice session, and feared that many could be caught out from January 1982, as it is expected widely that the regulations will be enforced rigidly from then.
The Freight Transport Association shares RHA's doubts about the legality of the disc sanction, and added: "Any arrangement which inhibits an employer from meeting his obligations could not be condoned or recommended by the FTA."
The tachograph manufacturers' attitude was summed up by a Lucas Kienzle spokesman who said that his company is ready to offer advice and educational assistance to operators, drivers, and unions, now that the industry is ready to get on with the task.