Many Protests Over New Wage Scale Expected
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BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
MANY protests are likely to be made by hauliers when the new wage scale agreed by the Road Haulage Wages Council (published in The Commercial Motor last week), is issued as R.H.61. Hauliers are expected to demand that the increases in pay, which are estimated to cost £4m. a year, should be linked with the settlement of the dispute over terms for the operation of the 30 m.p.h. limit for heavy goods vehicles.
U.A .5. Granted £153,500 Fare Dispensation
IN spite of opposition from more than I 20 local councils, United Automobile Services, Ltd., were last week granted a dispensation to raise fares by the Northern Traffic Commissioners. The application proper was adjourned for review when fuel rationing ends.
U.A.S. estimated that the new fares, which would now be on a mileage basis, would increase revenue by £153,500. The claim was submitted to offset a rise of £168.000 in costs which has occurred since last year.
Mr. D. Deakin, traffic manager, said that under the proposed structure, no single fare up_to 44-d. would b.e increased by more than 4d. Rates from 5d, to 2s. would rise by no more than Id., and fares above 2s. by no more than 2d.
Mr. Norman Hafper, for the objecting councils, said they had had the relevant documents for only a few days and, therefore, he did not propose to call witnesses. His clients contended that the company were asking for too much.
Adjourning the application, the chairman, Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, said the objectors' submission was that insufficient time had passed to make a just appreciation of the situation. There was no doubt that the situation was clouded by the question of fuel rationing, not only in its financial aspect but also by the problematical number of additional passengers being carried as a result.
[Other news of fare applications appears on page 162.] SPECIAL FERRY SHIP LAUNCHED
STATED to be the first ship designed and built for a goods-vehicle ferry service, the rri.v. " Bardic Ferry" was launched at Dumbarton on Tuesday at the shipyard of Wm. Denny and Bros., Ltd. The vessel is being constructed to the order of the Atlantic Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., whose experience in running tank-landing craft has been incorporated in its design.
Loading and discharging are through a stern-door ramp. The deck will accommodate 60-70 lorries and a second deck can carry 25-30 containers. Stabilizers will be provided for the benefit of the special cargo. The ship is designed for service between Preston and Ulster or Tilbury and Antwerp. A30 Operators are becoming worried by the lack of progress made in the negotiations on the speed limit, and are still more concerned about the omission of any reference to the matter in last week's agreement for increased wages for road haulage workers.
The national executive committee of the Road Haulage Association last Week discussed the labour situation at length, and it was obvious that many members feared another heavy demand for higher wages in return for an agreement by the unions to allow members to drive heavy vehicles at 30 m.p.h. The criticism of the Association and of the lack of progress in the negotiations, when the higher limit was approved in the House of Commons, was regarded by the executive as largely political.
Effect on Rates The national rates committee of the Association are likely to hold a meeting shortly to consider the impact of the proposed wage increases on rates. IS.T.R. deals with the subject on page 184.]
Rates were also on the agenda at Wednesday's meeting of the new longdistance hauliers' committee of the R.H.A. At this meeting the interim committee was transformed into a permanent body. One of the matters under consideration Was a code or business conduct for long-distance hauliers, mainly in their dealings with one another. A code for clearing houses already exists.
Other subjects dealt with last week by the national executive included taxation and insurance contributions. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is being asked to spread the burden of the fuel tax among all users, instead of singling out road transport operators to carry it.
CRS. PAY TALKS HELD UP
ASPOKESMAN for British Road Services said on Monday that no date had yet been fixed for a further meeting with the unions on a pay claim submitted to them (The Commercial Motor last week).
MORE GUYS FOR B.R.S.
AN order worth over £100,000 has been placed with Guy Motors, Ltd., by British Road Services. It is for 106 Vixen oil-engined pantechnicons for Pickfords. With the completion of this order, B.R.S. will have taken delivery of nearly 800 Guy vehicles.