1RIC quarries
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Holes and Eldon Hill quarries which produce tarmacadam and limestone aggregates, follows months of discontent over the rates being offered by the giant construction companies. The current fuel increases have made the problem worse, say dispute leaders.
RMC says it appreciates the position of the hauliers. Reading from a prepared statement Allan Ward, transport and distribution manager at Dove Holes, said on Tuesday: "Due to escalating costs a number are protesting by withdrawing their services. The company recognises the effect of these costs and is reviewing the rate structure to assist them."
Steetley refused to comment to the press. But Bennett says the action has 100% support among contractors. He guesses that the company has about 18 of its own trucks running out of both quarries. This compares with an average of 85. He claims RMC has lost 10,000 tonnes of production in two days. "On Monday 30-50 tonnes of tarmac left Eldon Hill. Normally on a Monday the amount would be between 500 and 1,000."
The Road Haulage Association's local area chairman says he has sympathy with the hauliers in dispute and has agreed not to send his normal six tippers a day into RMC, Derbyshire. "They are at their wits' end. They've been fobbed about with offers that can't even cover their diesel costs," says Dave Hodges of Egerton Plant Hire, Cheshire.
Bennett is determined that the hauliers will not break any laws. They will not picket operators working for quarries who are not in dispute or block routes to RMC depots. All the hauliers involved in the dispute carry out spot hire work for RMC without any contracts. Few run in RMC colours.