A single union lobbying with one voice could provide the
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answer to many of the road transport industry's problems, says David Higginboftom, leader of the United Road Transport Union...
'A large specialist union would add great clout to the industry's voice'
Ihave been in the road haulage industry most of my working life, first as a lorry driver and then the past 14 years as a trade union official; six of those in my present position of general-secretary of the United Road Transport Union.
Never, in my experience, has the industry been in such disarray and under threat from so many causes. Things are now so desperate in some cases that staid and respectable hauliers are taking to the streets in protest at government policies and in defiance of their own trade associations. At the other end of the employment spectrum, the major trade unions may agree about the causes of the problems but are no more in accord about their solutions than the employers and their trade associations. From time to time there is talk, recently revived, of a merger between the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association. Many people accept the logic of having just one body speaking for the employers, but few would so readily accept the notion of a single trade union with specialist knowledge and skills.
Many of those same people accept and endorse the monopoly position of the British Medical Association, the doctors' trade union, but would resist the imagined "monopoly" of a single union for road haulage workers. But a single union would allow For a co-ordinated approach from the workers' side to the special problems of the industry instead of the present multiplicity of views, sometimes caused by the lack of specialist knowledge within the larger, general unions. A co-ordinated approach and the power of such a large specialist union would add great clout to the industry's voice in negotiations with government. A single union would avoid the present wasteful duplication of resources. It would also benefit from the economies of scale achieved by the larger general unions, but without the loss of specialist knowledge which so often accompanies growth. That would mean operating from a lower cost base and providing greater membership benefits in return for lower subscriptions, an important advantage in a low-pay industry. Other benefits include managing interunion relations more effectively and modernising our approach to industrial relations, so co-operation becomes a key element instead of confrontation.
A more profitable industry will be able to afford better pay and conditions for everyone. And it could be achieved while demonstrating that road haulage can be both safe and environmentally friendly.
At the same time, I recognise legitimate fears will include the creation of an overpowerful monopoly and the removal of effective choice From prospective union members. It is probably true that there will be substantial resistance from some existing union leaders. A short article like this cannot address all the issues arising from such a proposition. That is why URTU has produced a discussion paper setting out the pros and cons of a single union for road haulage and inviting you to join in the debate. Call us on 0800 526639.
• If you want to sound off about a road h-onsport issue write to features editor Patric Cunnane or fax your views (up to 600 words) to Nicky Clarke on 0181 652 8912.