FTA and RHA want Wages Council to stay
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BOTH goods transport operators' associations have told t h e Government that they are opposed to an early winding-up of the Road Haulage Wages Council. Such a move is being urged on the Secretary of State for Employment by the union side (CM, April 18).
In a letter to the Minister this week Mr Hugh Featherstone, director-general of the Freight Transport Association, says that his Association is "alive to the deficiencies of the council" but that it would be premature to dissolve it until suitable alternative machinery is available.
Mr Featherstone spells out two main reasons for retaining the council, at least for the moment. These are : that the council contributes to the maintenance of reasonable standards of remuneration and, of at least equal importance, reasonable conditions of employment; and that, in a highly 'fragmented industry, it would be folly to abandon the key item of wage negotiating machinery without first devising a substitute.
The Road Haulage Association has already made its submission to the Minister along similar lines. It says that the unions on the council do not represent a substantial number of drivers employed in the industry. The council is also important in maintaining standards in the industry, the RHA told the Minister. The Association also made the point about 'there being no suitable alternative body at present.
Union discontent within the unmet wee sparked off by the Scottish drivers' pay dispute which resulted in a E40 a week basic for most lorry drivers. The Wages Council basic at the time was less than E30.
A spokesman for the Department of Employment told CM this week that the Minister was considering the submissions before malting a statement.