i i ted from a longer one which the
itorial note: this article has been extrac pean for Motor Transport, the journal of the Road Haulage Associations Mr. Law presented his argument in the form of a conversation between a lorry isteus and his wife, Mre Law is Birmingham Grourt Trade Secretary of the TGWU. )
“How much is your basic wage, dear?" : one 12s 3a if I drive a muss lorry - £11 1s if I drive a medium lorry - 8s 94 if I drive a big one. cae Soa 9 do earn much more than these amounts, how does that come oi Husband: "Because I spin the job out so that it takes all day, end I can ne hours, and 12 on two days of the week, making 68 hours each week, as by doing that I can make my wages up to around £21 4s per week of six sy Ny Wifes "Per week?eeel thought a week for a worker was 40 hours «' Husbands: "For ordinary workezs, yes, but not for lorry drivers. We have to work five weeks to an average man's four in order to get fhe seis moneye ee lhe eee average earnings of manual workers is £18 18s 2d for 47g hourse To get £18 18s I have to work 62 hours on a 5 to 10-ton vehicle." Wifes “That means that each week you must work 144 hours more than the average
ki n order to pick up the same wage?" oo "Yes, and it I a. worked average hours, I would only pick up £13 4s."
Wifes: "That means your wages for the national average hours would be £5 14s 2d below those of the average worker?" Husband: "I am ashamed to say they would bes"ssesceee Wifes “Do all drivers work as cheap labour, like you do?" : Husbands "Certainly not, in the industrial areas such as Birmingham, drivers employed by the car manufacturers receive an average of 9s per hour." The article then goes on to outline various wage differentials in industries and localities, the:piece concludes: : Wifes "Well, you had better go to bed, you must be up at 4.00 in the morning, I think I will go and get a job in the factory and you can stay home and look after the kids!.."