NEC offers En deal but wants flexibili
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NATIONAL FREIGHT CORPORATION has offered its drivers wage increases of up to 20 per cent, and there are signs of peace on the tankermen's front, writes ALAN MILLAR.
An NFC spokesman confirmed on Monday that the 15,000 drivers, loaders and yard shunters at BRS, Roadline, Pickfords, and Tankfreight have been offered a pay and productivity deal which gives top-weight men an increase of just over 20 per cent from January 1.
The top rate for 40 hours will now be £77, the same as for most private sector drivers, but changes are planned farther down the scale.
Whereas pro-rata wage scales were based previously on top-weight drivers' pay, this will now be based on a proportionately lower rate for the second grade of driver, if NFC's proposals are accepted.
It has told the Transport and General Workers Union that it wants more working flexibility and higher running speeds from its drivers, to bring NFC closer to the standards of the private sector.
Separate negotiations are still in progress at National Carriers, where drivers are mainly National Union of Railwaymen members.
We understand that an offer similar to the NFC offer has gone to NUR, and the present calm negotiating climate appears to hold little threat to a successful conclusion. The tanker drivers' negotiations took a turn for the better with Texaco men's acceptance of an 18 per cent increase on basic rates with a £150 lump sum, and two per cent on other payments.
The TGWU was due to discuss BP's latest offer yesterday (Friday), and a meeting between Shell management and TGWU has been arranged for next week.
• see News Extra p.18