Transport Staffs and Security
Page 10
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ANX1ETY now being felt by many members of road transport staffs under changing conditions of employment was stressed by Mr. J. A. Dunnage at the February meeting of the Institute of Traffic Administration's Merseyside Centre.
There was, he said, a cleavage of view between those who were now ready for actions which, however glossed over in deference to " blackcoat " susceptibilities, were trade union in character, and those who were not so ready. It seemed inevitable in this era that organizations should negotiate with organizations, and not men with men.
That being so, road transport staffs would do well to weigh up the rival calls for their support. Clearly, the present Government preferred, where possible, nothing less than full-blooded trade unions.
Road transport staffs, said Mr. Dunnage, were faced by the dual problem of deserving promotion and good appointments by gaining a broad knowledge of the principles of trans
port administration, and of finding suitable machinery for negotiating on salaries and conditions. Clear thinking and candid self-examination on both questions were needed before the individual decided where to give allegiance.
The 1.0.T.A. was providing knowledge that would justify advancement. As to the second part of the problem, conscious choice has to be made between trade unionism and non-trade unionism.
Those who wished a direct line of representation right up to the T.U.C. might try the road transport membership of the Railway Clerks' Association. People who were mistrustful of the T.U.C. would do well to study the strength and achievements of the National Association of Local Government Officers. Whoever joined them now had an immense unearned increment in good work by generations of unsung pioneers.
Mr. Dunnage discouraged any idea of the founding of a new union for road transport employees.