MEMBERS ENDORSE POLITICAL FUND

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2014 :: RMTnews 7 E mployers are becoming increasingly worried about hiring enough suitably qualified drivers in the run-up to the busy Christmas period, according to a new report. Research by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) showed that one in five companies looking to take on drivers and distribution workers is expecting shortages. The problem is raising fears over whether firms will be able to meet additional demand for their goods and services in November and December. Ninety per cent of the 600 employers polled said that they had little or no capacity to take on more work. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the industry was paying the price for years of attacks on jobs and working conditions. “This onslaught has clearly casualised and undermined the status of workers in the road freight industry to the point that we now face the prospect of empty shelves in the run-up to Christmas. "The blame for this crisis lies with the companies who have hammered jobs and pay to maximise profits and with a government that refuses to take integrated transport services seriously and which has allowed an ad hoc and casual approach to dominate,” he said. REC chief executive Kevin Green said that drivers were particularly hard to find. “People are put off entering the sector by the high costs of things like training and insurance, with the new Certificate of Professional Competence requirements compounding the difficulties. "With peak time for deliveries coming up in November and December, shortages are an immediate problem and one that will only get worse in the longer term. “We need to see more employers offering driver training and accreditation. The Government could help by providing some pump-priming funds,” he said. "The UK's workforce is lean, with minimal spare capacity and growing shortages of workers with the skills to fill the jobs that are currently available. “As employers compete more intensely in the jobs market for the skills they need to grow, there will be upward pressure on salaries in the months ahead," he said. The survey also showed that nine out of 10 firms plan to increase their permanent staff in the next three months, while almost half will take on more temporary workers. R MT members have voted by over 96 per cent in favour of retaining the RMT Political Fund. On a turnout of 31 per cent, 21,435 (96.5 per cent) voted to retain the fund with 768 against. In the previous ballot ten years ago RMT members voted by 88 per cent to retain the Political Fund. This is the fourth time members have voted to keep their Political Fund since the Tory government in the 1980s introduced legislation requiring trade unions to hold a postal ballot of members every ten years. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the result meant that the RMT could continue to campaign in the political arena on the issues that matter to members including public ownership, a safe and secure job, pay, pensions and employment rights. “I would like to thank all members who have voted to continue the RMT’s Political voice and campaigned to achieve this fantastic result,” he said. LORRY DRIVER SHORTAGES MEMBERS ENDORSE POLITICAL FUND