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RHA decides against fuel price protests
Page 7
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11 IL ROAD Haulage Association (RHA) has decided that its members have no desire for public protest against high fuel prices — despite the majority of respondents to a poll on this issue being in favour of action. But it has offered support to any of its members who wish to stage local protests.
President Roger King says: "It is fair to say the majority that did make their feelings known favoured action, but not all of these were prepared to commit vehicles and no consensus was evident in either time or place." The survey received a 5% response rate.
The board's decision has not been popular with all operators; abusive mail has described them as "spineless bastards" and some posts on the website of pressure group Transaction-2007 have expressed similar sentiments.
Transaction is claiming responsibility for the RHA's willingness to support local protest.
Ilowever, RHA board member Andrew Black of Andrew Black Haulage and Storage says: "My view is a definite no' to protest.We would lose public goodwill and achieve nothing. The RHA hoard thrashes issues out soundly and on this the decision is quite right."
RHA policy director Jack Semple says: "For every haulier who says they wish to protest there are many, many others who support the RHA line." According to the RHA's annual cost tables, road haulage costs have risen by 8.22% in 2007, and diesel has risen a further 8.3% since the report's publication on 30 September.
The RHA board says it will continue to campaign against high fuel prices. It is calling for a conversion for some fuel duty into higherrate VAT which hauliers could then reclaim; this idea has already been discussed with the European Commission taxation department.
The Freight Transport Association has also rejected public protest. _Tames Hookham,deputy chief exec utive,says:"Freight customers and own-account operators are concerned with the effect fuel protest would have on business. Direct action is not seen as constructive.
• The Transport Association, a group of 60 family-run firms working collaboratively; will also be lobbying the government on fuel costs. It is asking for a sectorspecific rebate and a postponement of the next 2p/lit rise in duly.