Watch for Feb. 25
Page 26
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It has been suggested' that I Was unkind in the July 2 issue when I referred to the fact that the DoE had taken so long to sort out the hours regulations that operators did not know on (June 25) that they would not have to comply with the EEC Hours on July 1. I've looked back at the Press announcement on the subject; it was released on June 24 saying that John Gilbert had announced that very day that an eight-month deferment had been granted. Now unless the men of Marsham Street have some special "Telepathic" powers they could not possibly have communicated with Britain's transport men before Monday -the Post Office willing — so my little piece was correct.
What really troubles me is that even that was considered ade'quate time by Brussells and London for new operating schedules to be prepared — men to be briefed and wage adjustments to be compiled, had it been necessary.
Indeed, many of the men most affected, the long-distance drivers, had already left home before first post on Monday.
Someone somewhere is about to lift a pen and write me a sharp note saying that deferment was a foregone conclusion. That's just the kind of philosophy that will land os bang in trouble with the EEC Commissioners.
The present deferment ends on February 28 so watch-your mail on February 25.