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156 
LIG launches 10% claims to prepare for 48-hour week
Page 6
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a by Guy Sheppard
Unions are to press for three annual pay increases of between 8-10% to ensure that drivers in the hire-and-reward sector do not lose out after the introduction of the Working Time Directive (VD) in 2005.
The Road Haulage Association's head of employment, Ruth Pia describes the increases as "realistic as far as drivers are concerned", saying that rises of between 8-15% are already happening,
But John Hancox, chairman of the RHA's Midlands and Western region, says: ''We have no Idea how members will react but I think they will be aghast to begin with."
The pay claim was formulated by Transport & General Workers Union leaders; it includes a minimum of 25 days' holiday and a commitment to defend existing pension schemes—with Industrial action if necessary.
The claim will be presented to regional joint Industrial councils (JICs) from November; they will provide a benchmark for numerous other negotiations not covered by the JICs.
The West Midlands JIG, which tlancox chairs, is traditionally one of the first to meet.
Danny Bryan, the T&G's national secretary for road transport, says the claim Is designed to ensure that drivers currently working around 60 hours a week will earn the same for 48 hours. "We are assuming modest Increases each year in real terms as well," he explains. "We have not said we want X% In three sets of negotiations, but the sort of target we can project is between 8-10% per annum."
He claims that most employers are doing nothing to prepare for the WID although there are some notable exceptions, such as the Co-op subsidiary ACC which has agreed to a fundamental review of Its pay structure (CM 24-30 October).
He adds that 30,000 T&G members will be covered by the claim, as well as many other drivers. Bryan estimates that the average driver's pay is now between £5.50-16, with time-and-a-half paid for working more than 40 hours in a week.
Putt says an annual survey of drivers' pay and benefits, shortly to be published by the RHA and income Data Services, shows that around 10% of deals are for increases of between 8-15%. "It is down to supply and demand rather than to any recognttion that working time Is to change," she adds. 'The majority of deals are around 3-4% and some have had pay freezes."
Putt adds that the level of pay adjustment needed to cater for the WED is still unclear because no decision has been made on whether issues such as double manning are excluded from the 48-hour week. "We won't have any steer on that until well Into the New Year," she warns.