BRS 'licence money' talks break down
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• Talks between Midlands BRS senior mangement and the TGWU's Mr Alan Law broke down on Wednesday. Union hopes for an acceptable offer — whether in the form of the claimed £2.50 payment for possession of an hgv licence or adjustment of the drivers' bonus scheme — foundered.
Although the dispute is hugely important, writes John Darker, in the context of drivers' pay nationally, since a settlement could sweep across all NFC company wage structures and thence to independent hauliers, the NFC advice to BRS management can only be conjectured; the National Staff Council in London on Wednesday is said not to have discussed the matter since disputes are resolved by the National Joint Negotiating Committee.
Last week the drivers in dispute were given yard duties — cleaning, washing, white-line drawing, etc. This week most of the drivers have stayed at home —without pay, if BRS management stick to their stated resolve.
Meanwhile, a strike at White's Removals, Great Lister Street, Birmingham, is said to have been settled with the firm agreeing to a demand for more pay, regardless of pay restraint policies. .1 understand that a higher pay offer — £2.50 was sought — was a precondition of the drivers, who recently joined the TGWU, resuming work.