Six-point peace plan on overnights
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PROPOSALS from the Inland Revenue which could end the 10-week-old row over subsistence have finally been published.
But the industry still has the threat of a drivers' strike due to take place on July 14 hanging over it.
The strike call was made by the unofficial Drivers' Action Committee and was to take place whatever was decided about the form.
The new peace plan is to go before executives of the four unions involved, TGWU, URTU, the General and Municipal Workers' and the Shop Distributive and Allied Workers' Unions later this month.
Also at the meeting were representatives from the Inland Revenue, Department of Employment, the Treasury, the Freight Transport Association, Road Haulage Association and National Freight Corporation.
They will all meet again on July 27 to hear the union verdict on the plan, but until then the certification scheme has been held up.
The subsistence proposals are: 1, Employers may pay up to £4.50 per night overnight subsistence allowance without deduction of tax.
2, Where there are agreements in existence at June 28, 1976, for amounts in excess of £4.50 the agreements should be registered by the employer with the Inspector of Taxes by October 31, 1976, and subject to his approval these amounts may be paid without deduction of tax.
3, The registered amounts will remain tax free at their present levels until overtaken by the adjusted national tax free amount.
4, The Inland Revenue will continue to accept the payment of amounts in excess of the agreed amounts where supported by receipts.
5, For drivers who lodge more than 20 road miles from permanent home address, in order to qualify for tax-free payment of overnight subsistence allow ance, the certificate will be completed by the employer and will be cross-referenced to the drivers' log sheets (to provide place of stay). The driver will not be called upon to complete or sign any certificate.
6, For drivers who lodge less than 20 road miles from permanent home address, in order to qualify for tax-free payment of overnight subsistence allowance the driver will be called upon to sign a certificate indicating the place of stay. There will be no requirement to give the address.