And so to Marble Arch on Tuesday to report on the TransAction fuel protest. You'll find a full report on it in this week's Commercial Motor . Meanwhile, I continue to be impressed by what rank-and-file hauliers are doing in terms of keeping the problem 'visible'--especially to the Great British Public, never mind the Government. And I have no doubts either that TransAction has stepped into the vacuum created by the RHA and the FTA in terms of public protests. However, that could change with the news that the RHA "...
According to the RHA: "The protest will be timed to coincide with the SNP amendment to the current Finance Bill seeking the introduction of a Fuel Duty Regulator designed to stabilise fuel prices. The RHA will be putting in motion what is intended to be one of the biggest parliamentary lobby's of recent times. Once we have the date on which the Scottish National Party amendment is to be debated we will advise members accordingly and urge them to attend to lobby their MP's. In addition to the amendment we will also be campaigning for the October 2p/litre fuel duty increase to be abandoned"
Meanwhile, I stick by my view that TransAction has done an excellent job of keeping the pot boiling and I continue to be fascinated by how many people who turn up to TransAction protests are RHA members. Equally fascinating for me was the fact that at the Marble Arch gathering on Tuesday Stephen Taylor, chairman of the Transport Asociation (a self-help group of some very big hitting companies which together run more than 3000 vehicles--and coincidentally are all RHA members too) also turned up to show the TA's solidarity with the TransAction cause.... and as with TransAction it also delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street that day demanding action on fuel prices...
So what happens next? I guess it's a case of everyone---TransAction, The Transport Association, the Road Haulage Association AND the Freight Transport Association Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all ensuring that EVERYONE attends the planned massed lobby in July. The message must be overwhelming---or the Government will simply say--'Look they can't even agree anmongst themselves how to complain about fuel.' Or to put it another way---if the industry can't stand together it will only have itself to blame.
here's another one of the TransAction protesters at London---from where I was standing I thought I saw Derek himself behind the wheel too. Not that it would be surprising as he was one of the original TransAction members when it started in Kent. Now click through here for more....
One thing for sure is that it's time to stop the sniping between all the various factions and recognise that everyone has a part to play in persuading this Government that the road transport industry can't take much more. But equally if the big two trade associations think they have the answers when it comes to finally persuading the Government to act in the industry's favour, the time is fast-approaching for them to prove it.
Whether it's done in quite conversations with Government officials in back rooms, or by mass lobbies of Parliament---both the RHA and FTA need to show that 'their' way works---AND get a decent result for operators. Otherwise they shouldn't be surprised if other, more vocal and visible, groups like TransAction want to make the running...and that the media (pictured below on Tuesday) pays them more attention.
Don't you think..?
Comments (5)
I am a RHA member and TransAction done more in one day than the RHA has done in years, getting the fuel problem in the public domain.The trouble is that the larger hauilers that represent the RHA at higher levels have all got fuel duty escalators in place, so fuel is not such an issue as with the smaller haulier.This was made clear at a recent RHA sub district meeting.
Posted by Barney | June 1, 2008 1:29 PM
Posted on June 1, 2008 13:29
BLB
Happinessness costs a measly 2 euro cents,the price French derv has come DOWN in a week and the Euro is also down in value.Riches beyond my wildest dreams again.
The Boss
Posted by the Boss | June 1, 2008 2:17 PM
Posted on June 1, 2008 14:17
I know how to turn the fuel problem around to our advantage.Please ask me.Its not difficult.
Posted by Colin Pomeroy | June 10, 2008 9:06 PM
Posted on June 10, 2008 21:06
Not a trucker but a very concerned business car driver. The 2p duty rise is a drop in the ocean compared to huge ammount of tax paid at the moment. What we need is a national fuel protest to include all road users. If everyone left their cars at home for 1 day the goverment would have to listen. If that does'nt work we'll do exactly what they want and everyone get on public transport see if that works,
Posted by Kevin | June 13, 2008 12:56 PM
Posted on June 13, 2008 12:56
We can put all the twisted and complicated issues of fuel prices to the side because at the end of the day we must realize the goverment and fuel companies are making massive profits from us and thats it, we are being bullied, we didnt ask for our vehicles to run on petrol or diesel its just the most profiteering way for bullies to rip us off. We can change everything if we stick together ,we are more powerful than any bully but only if we stick together we can change the future of transport either by changing fuel types or fuel prices . The key players in this retaliation of bullyism will be the fuel tanker drivers and the members of public. System step 1. To gather at least 65% of all tanker drivers to dedicate themselfs to retaliate. Step 2. A fraction of uk public to pay £1. Every £1 will enter a pot until there is enough money to pay all dedicated drivers a high monthly wage to strike then there will be a date set for retaliation. I am setting up a webpage dedicated to this method and need members ie transport leaders within each fuel depot who can bring there group to an agreement of more than full pay strike , I then need dedicated public to donate a £1 only payment which will enter a pot until amount needed is reached, the growing amount of funds will be shown on website and every penny will go towards key players in this retaliation. Also need volonteer negotiators and comunicators.This action could last days or unlikley months but you who support this revolt can feel assured you have helped change the future of great britain and let the profiteering bullies know we won't take any more of this sh**. We are powerful together
Posted by paul | June 16, 2008 6:23 PM
Posted on June 16, 2008 18:23