Unions fare better
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by Amanda Bradbury • The two major road transport unions say the long-term decline in their membership and finances is beginning to be reversed.
The United Road Transport Union says its membership figures for this year are static at 18,000. The previous year, the union lost 2,000 members.
The union claims to be adding six members a day through its £60,000 mobile office which was launched this week.
But the investment needed to recruit more members means this year URTU will make an overall deficit of £250,000 compared to a £20,000 loss last year. General secretary David Higginbottom says the increased deficit is planned and necessary for the union's long-term financial health.
The news comes as The TGWU reveals that it will declare a surplus in its finances for this year as the benefits of a reduction in staff and regional and district offices work through.
The amalgamation of three eastern areas into one, in the regions between Kings Lynn and Scotland and the creation of one south-west region from the old two and three regions will be officially announced in January.
Following a report by management consultant Klein, the union has also cut 250 staff and officers in the past two years with voluntary early retirement packages.
The union's policy of creating cluster administrations from the old district offices has seen 39 shut or being e a r marked for do sure in ' lo, campa, sure in 740 br mainland UK TGWU anch in the past war campaign: two years. leaflets and posters to recruit Regional new members.
officers of the TGWU say their leaflet and poster campaign for a minimum £4 an hour for 32-tonner drivers is also starting to generate interest in joining the TGWU from non-union members.