£77 too much at - tic drivers?
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)/CE AGAIN The Hawk (CM, igust 16) has a go at unions U lorry drivers. He accuses ith of causing serious inflation • ridiculous pay claims. He also ges us to heed the Road lulage Association's warnings at only a token wage rise ould be awarded in the next und of negotiations.
In your August 23 issue RHA itional chairman Ken Rogers's ne-point plan urging hauliers cut staff, overtime, etc, is like each ing to the converted. This )-called plan is what prudent Jsinessmen have been doing ice the wheel was invented. a concludes by saying that rhe driver's understanding of I the circumstances is essential they are to have any influence 1 future wage negotiations." By this, we must presume he leans the employers telling the aff how bad things are.
Well, Mr Rogers, after 30 years 'n still waiting for any employer ) tell me when things were ood (and they have been very ood).
Prior to the 1968 Road Traffic ct, hauliers enjoyed self-imosed privileges, like running Id bangers with near-bald tyres berating from premises that yen the rats had vacated and aying low wages, courtesy of te Road Haulage Wages Counil. This body created unlimited vertime by their measly inarmittent wage increases.
The wage for a top driver 32an-gross vehicle is £77 per 40lour week; some of the trailers lulled by the tractive units are as ang as 70ft. Do both Mr Rogers Ind The Hawk consider this a idiculous wage?
Years ago (the good times) load Haulage Wages Council ates of pay were pinned to the jarage wall. I never saw a balince sheet pinned alongside of t.
Could the reason be that the vall couldn't take the weight of he hefty profits? A misguided man called Dick Turpin was convicted of being a highway robber. He was hanged, poor fellow. If he had stood trial in modern times he would have been put on probation by a kindly judge, with the advice to seek a position on the Road Haulage Wages Council where his talents could be put to better use.
This body now is as dead as he. It pleases both, the union and me.
D. CAWLEY Low Fell, Tyne and Wear.