Are Owner-drivers Better Off Than Fleet Owners ?
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THAT the owner-driver working his 1 vehicle under the Government Haulage Scheme receives a proportionately better financial deal through the hiring terms than that given to the fleet owner was suggested at last week's meeting of the Heavy Woollen District Transport Association at Dewsbury.
It was instanced that, under the hiring terms, the owner--driver of a working vehicle of 4 tons capacity receives from the M.O.W.T. a weekly wage of £4 Ss. as a driver, in addition to the weekly basic' payment of over £5 in respect of the vehicle, plus pay
ment for miles run. On, the other hand, the fleet owner receives only basic and mileage payments on exactly the same scale as the owner-driver, although he must remunerate himself for his work in connection with the operation of the hired vehicles, whilst, at the same time, meeting additional overhead charges, as in the case of office staff's wages and accommodation. It was suggested that the hiring terms were insufficient to , enable operators to keep their vehicles in the efficient condition necessary to meet a, war-time transport emergency, against Which the Government scheme was intended to provide.
As to the operation of the scheme, several cases of light or empty running by local vehicles on hire were cited.
In discussion it was remarked that,, generally speaking, return-load traffic had become a fundamental factor in the private operations of haulage contractors. From the standpoints both of national finance and economic use of fuel and tyres, return-load operation was equally necessary under the Government scheme..
The Association decided to seek representation on the committee which is being farmed under the auspices of the Yorkshire Standing Joint Com mittee, • to represent Yorkshire operators with vehicles on hire under the Government scheme.