AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Encourage Apprentice Drivers

6th December 1940
Page 14
Page 14, 6th December 1940 — Encourage Apprentice Drivers
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

O(—NNE disadvantage of having a hard-and-fast of wages such as that scheduled under the Road Haulage Wages Act is that, whilst it fixes a minimum, that minimum is, in the majority of cases, regarded as a maximum. It does not allow for distinction between one driver and another. A learner, provided he be driving a vehicle of over 30-cwt. pay-load capacity, is entitled to the same wage as the most experienced and capable man in the country. In other words, there is no provision for tangible recognition of merit or capabilities. The obvious answer, of course, is that such recognition can be made by additions to the minimum or by means of bonuses. Unfortunately, the economic aspect, to a large extent, prevents any substantial allowance being made on that basis. Nor can it be denied that the learner is not worth the minimum rate which he must be paid.

One possible solution is suggested by Mr. Hamish MacDougall, Secretary of the Scottish Carriers and Haulage Contractors Association. He points out that the anomaly which is described is aggravated at the present time as the result of war conditions. He states that his Association has of late been active in assisting its members in connection with hardships arising out of military call-ups. In the course of these activities it has become evident that there is an increasing difficulty in obtaining drivers and other skilled men necessary to meet the requirements of the road transport industry.

One remedy would have been the establishment of an apprenticeship training scheme. Any such course is, however, made impracticable by the rigid system of wage scales, which makes no provision other than for the qualified driver. The rawest recruit must be paid the same wages as those obtained by the most expert hand. That is a deterrent to those who would otherwise be willing to devote some time to training men until they' became proficient.

It is suggested that herein is a problem for the Central and Area Wages Board, who _might well devote themselves to considering if it be not possible to introduce into the wage schedules an additional scale, lower than those now existing, of wage which should be payable to trainees during the period of their apprenticeship. That there is nothing impracticable in such a suggestion is afforded by the fact that, in the case of youngsters driving the lightweight machines, provision for a gradual year-by-year increase is made. All that is necessary is that a similar gradation scale should be approved for learners, to apply during the first. second and third years of their training.


comments powered by Disqus