Wage offers approach £6 on basic pay
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THIS WIN.' ER's road haulage wage settlements now look more likely to end up at around E6 more on basic pay for 40 hours, judging by the latest offers made in regional negotiations.
Transport and General Workers Union drivers in London and South-East England have already been offered more than an opening offer of E5.50 on basic rates and 75p on subsistence, but are being recommended to reject this and hold out for E6.
That would take the 32.5tonne rate to .1:108 and the 38tonne rate to 015.50, a rise of 5.9 per cent at 32.5 tonnes and 5.6 per cent at 38 tonnes.
East Midlands employers have offered E5.90 on basic rates, taking the 32.5-tonne rate to E106.30 (up 5.9 per cent) and the 38-tonne rate to E109.57 (up 5.7 per cent). It is being passed to drivers without any recommendation.
The offer also increases overnight subsistence by 60p to 5:12.60, reduces the qualifying period for four weeks' holiday from two years to one, and increases Saturday overtime pay by making work to 2pm available at double time rather than timeand-a-half as now.
West Midlands negotiations are still continuing, without any offer haying been passed to drivers. Employers have offered a E5.50 increase pro-rata on basic rates, which would mean a 5.4 per cent rise in the 32.5-tonne rate to 1:106.50.
A more controversial proposal following an abortive attempt by Southern England negotiators two years ago is to offer an 80p increase in the E11.50 subsistence only to drivers using commercial accommodation.
This follows Inland Revenue claims for back tax from sonic operators of sleeper cab lorries, whose drivers in future would be paid only at the 1985 subsistence rate.
The West Midlands offer also includes a 3p increase in night rate to 61p, and optional increases in sickness and accident benefits.
Sheffield employers have offered a 5:5 increase in basic rates, representing five per cent on the 52100.90 32.5tonne rate, and have offered to reduce the entitlement period for four weeks' holiday from two years to one. They have not offered any increase in the 01.50 overnight subsistence rate.
Eastern England employers have offered E5.25 on basic rates, representing 5.2 per cent on the E100.25 32.5tonne rate, and 60p on 5:11.50 subsistence.
Standard TGWU claims have been submitted for 5:8 more basic pay and E2 overnight subsistence by drivers in Birkenhead, West Cumbria and Western England.