TNT goes full-time
Page 5
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
.RCELS CARRIER TNT s secured the long-term nrract to deliver Rupert urdoch's newspapers from t Wapping, East London, jut works, it has been vealed.
Acting editorial director of urdoch's planned Landon Michael Hoy, says that VT is a permanent feature Wapping. TNT will carry beyond the current dispute tween Murdoch's News Inrnational and the print lions, he told CM.
So far, News International s used TNT's controversial -road operation to bring its ur titles, The Sun, The ifies, The Sunday Times and Ile News of the World out of apping, past print workers' ckcts and into wholesalers newsagents.
Hoy says that although ,ere have been "teething .oblems", News Internamal is "absolutely pleased" ith TNT. And although the 'Won Post was still on ice cause of the dispute, it had
be assumed that TNT ould get that job, too, when materialised, he added.
Meanwhile, the Transport id General Workers' Union is instructed its TNT mem:rs not to cross the Wapping cket lines, but has had little access. It has sent out )0,000 leaflets as part of a :umulative" effort to bring -essure on members.
In the leaflet, TGWU genal secretary Ron Todd says at News International is using members outside the legitimate agreement that the union and TNT have on newspaper distribution.
I le accuses News International of being "dictatorial, diabolical and totally unacceptable", and instructs members not to cross picket lines.
But News International retaliated by obtaining a High Court injunction requiring the union to withdraw the instruction; it had not when we closed for press.
News International has now warned that it will press for enforcements very shortly. If the TGWU still refuses this could result in fines and sequestration of union funds.
TNT UK general manager Alan Jones has also attacked Todd's instruction. "We enjoy good relations with the TGWU based on full consultation, and I'm surprised Ron Todd didn't consult his members before instructing them," he said. TNT has recruited about 700 van and heavy-goods drivers, with a few owner drivers for the operation, and this new work for TNT has been at the expense of SOGAT '82 print union members. Until this dispute they totally controlled the delivery of national newspapers, on a road and rail network.
And although there has nor been an official instruction, some SOGAT members — for example at CM's publisher, Business Press International — are blacking TNT's job and promotion advertisements.
This is going on in all areas of publishing, union sources claim.
• It appears that the Greater London Council has come under union pressure to prevent TNT's vehicles over 16.5 tonnes operating in London during the night and weekend ban. TNT obtained exemption permits in October for its Fleet.