ARC package 'will cut rates' • The 27 contracted owner-drivers
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at ARC South Wales are expected to reject a second rates package put to them last week, because they say it would still cut their pay on most journeys.
Management offered the drivers an increased 92p a tonne loading rate and 7p per tonne per mile running rate. It refused to include its 33 hired drivers in the talks; it says they will have to wait until a settlement has been made with its contract drivers.
The management's offer follows its earlier proposal at Christmas for 87p a tonne loading rate and 7p per tonne per mile running rate. It backed down on this proposal after the 60 drivers, which feared they would lose several thousand pounds a year, picketed its 10 South Wales sites for two weeks in January (CM 28 Jan-3 Feb).
Mick Binns, advising the drivers as general secretary of the National Owner Drivers' Association, doubts whether the proposal is improved enough for them to accept: "Most of the routes are greater than nine miles," says Binns. "The drivers are looking for an increase on their pre-Christmas rate which amounted to 84p a tonne for loading and up per tonne per mile for running," says Binns. He says the last increase they received was in June 1990, but this was after a reduction in 1989.
ARC refused to comment. They will talk with the drivers on 16 March.