. . . with no sympathy for another closure
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• Another Midlands haulier, facing demands from the Transport and General Workers Union to pay its "Birmingham differential" of 34s 6d a week, has decided to cease trading. The claim was presented by Mr. Law, The latest to close down is J. J. Field, of Dudley. Mr. S. Field, eldest son of the founder of the 47-year-old firm, said that he had given his drivers—one with 25 years' service—dismissal notices expiring on Friday.
Redundancy payments will be arranged. The firm had a fleet of seven vehicles.
Mr. Field said that the pay claim would have added considerably to running costs. It would have been the "last straw" on top of recent increases in operating costs.
All the union members will be found new jobs this week, said Mr. Law. on Tuesday. He also announced a new wages structure for 52 drivers at Cadbury Bros. Ltd., negotiated between his union and the company management. It provides a wage of £23 5s for a 46-hour week with a guaranteed minimum bonus of £1 15s, "This is an illustration of the situation in the Midlands haulage industry", said Mr. Law. "The good employers treat their men fairly and at the same time some of the small ones have to go out of business when they are asked to pay a decent wage. I think the future of the haulage industry will be tied up in fewer, bigger firms. It isn't my job, or my union's job, to feel sympathy for an employer who is unable to treat his men properly."