|
Terence Flanagan Branch Sec:
GMB.
Professional Drivers Branch Column
IMPORTING DRIVERS COMING TO YOUR TOWN SOON ??
Lets make it quite clear from the start !! We do not object on any racial basis people who have a legal right to work in this country doing so. What we do object to is their being exploited, and used to attack the status quo of the industry. As we understand it these people are recruited in Prague, given some basic training in English, our customs, and some basic knowledge of London’s geography. Upon arriving in the country they are fixed up with lodgings ( at a fair rent of course ? ) assisted to obtain a temporary permit, and then introduced to a company. Now quite clearly with the language difficulties and the complexity of our city, they face great difficulties, so clearly our role is to contact these drivers, examine their situation, sign them into the union, and ensure that their presence in no way undermines the industry. Many of us, myself included come from families who were originally immigrants themselves, in my case from the Emerald Isle at that time being raped and pillaged by the British with such lovely outfits as the Black and Tans ! As might be noted the Irish had and still have a great influence on the trade union movement, indeed our new General Sec. Paul Kenny is of Irish descent. Lets hope that these people have a pro-rata influence upon our movement. We suspect that these drivers will have been saddled with considerable debts which they will have to repay at exorbitant interest rates, we have been reliably informed that the plan is, alternate 12 hr. shifts in the vehicle and the bed, and if similar to imported plumbers, up to 16 bodies in a house, up to 4 in room all sharing 1 kitchen, bathroom, and WC. Our tactics will of course bring these people into the real world, but we must wonder about the morality of the proprietors who intend to exploit these people !!
SPEED CAMERAS
Poxy, [edited by admin], Money Raising Scams, impact on safety virtually NIL, the 3 points on your licence very dangerous, they soon mount up don’t they ? And before you know it your looking at a ban. Well up in Newcastle where I was last week ( May) they have a scheme, instead of paying a £60 fine and getting 3 points, you pay £65 and a do a days safety awareness course, and get NO points. This scheme looks good to me, obviously it could be abused but we think it is a way forward for us in London, so we will be raising it with the Mayors Office soon, send us your comments. Before you go and think what can I be taught ? You will be surprised how many BAD diving habits you have accumulated over the years and do not realise you have, until pointed out to you, which probably contributed to you getting the speeding fine in the 1st place.
BE AWARE that the new generation of cameras are now digital and direct linked to DVLA. So as soon as you get flashed the process has started, all by phone line etc. and you will receive a ticket in VERY short order !!
Blackpool
Oh I seem to have upset some people ! So I as us Southern persons do, said what most others have said to me on the hush, hush, what can I not say now ? But to be fair millions of people visit Blackpoll annually and return again and again, so there must be something that I missed as they cant all be wrong. The taxi service was excellent ( will I ever get another cab if recognised ) the people friendly, it was however slightly cold and poring with rain, but this will all be solved when one can get out of the weather in the projected Casino, would I recommend it as a conference venue ? NO ! this town is in serious need of refurbishment, but if it’s your bag, more power to your elbow !!
WATER SHORTAGE
At the time of writing this in 90 deg of heat, and facing a water ban which could mean we cannot clean our vehicles, because the German company that owns Thames Water, despite earning £300 M profit last year and the directors paying themselves £615,000 productivity bonus for falling short on all requirements to cut water leaks by 30%+ are now looking to impose severe restrictions. Over the past couple of years they have shut at least 7 reservoirs which they have asset stripped to property developers. Who do we blame for this ? Well the good old Tory Vermin of course, selling off the family silver as said by Mc Millan former prime minister. So if you come South be prepared to hold you noses as having a wash might become a privileged event !!
|
Login
Register
FAQ
