Lorry Drivers Hold Protest Meeting in London
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By A Special Correspondent
THE conference of delegates, repreI senting some 8,000 lorry drivers, held last Sunday in London, was the outcome of many months' frustration suffered by the men, who allege that they have been consistently refused such a facility by their union —the Transport and General Workers' Union.
1 he proposed increase in the speed limit was one of the major issues dealt with. Whilst the Speakers had much to say on the subject—the effect it would have on road safety, health of the drivers, and their earnings and redundancy—greatest indignation was expressed at the way the proposal had been handled by the Union.
The Conference affirmed that they would continue to oppose the proposal by all legitimate means.
Redundancy through the transfer of traffic from road to rail was next discussed. It was reported that as a result of six cars and trailers being taken off the London-Manchester trunk service, 12 Carter Paterson men became redundant. Nine of these men had since been re-engaged as porters or deck hands ata loss in wages of £5 a week.
From a Midland delegate it was learned that five men employed by a Tamworth. operator had been sacked when their firm was taken over by the Road Transport Executive, One delegate who had travelled down from Doncaster quoted the experience of a well-known firm of glass bottle manufacturers in South Yorkshire. This firm had been instructed by the B.T.C. that in future they must consign all their traffic by rail instead of road. The B.T.C. were told that if this was to he their policy, the firm would cease manufacturing bottles until the country or the B.T.C. returned to sanity.
Proposa k were then put forward to prevent further re,dundancies occurring. The most practical suggestions were: (1) .close the industry to all new entrants while there are still drivers unemployed: (2) retire all drivers at.the age of 60 on -pension; (3) all drivers who may be displaced should be absorbed as second men on vehicles carrying food and other valuable or rationed goods, and later on all vehicles with a carrying capacity of five tons or more. (4) institute a
registration scheme for drivers immediately.
The meeting endorsed a resolution of the Carter Paterson Branch to withdraw their labour should further trunk loads be transferred to rail.
Thc Conference resolved to call a National Delegate Conference in April, when transport workers, members of all trade unions catering for road and rail transport, and transport users would be invited to send delegates.
The feeling was expressed that if the drivers themselves had to take the initiative in such a matter as this there would be little point in remaining members of the T.G.W.U.
It was suggested that irt view of the altitude of the T.G.W.U. the possibility of forming a newUnion devoted entirely to commercial road transport drivers should be explored,