Identity crisis shakes PDA as members protest about aims
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A row has broken out over the goals of the Professional Drivers Association. David Harris reports.
THE PROFESSIONAL Drivers Association (PDA) was weathering a crisis this week after a private message between two members on the association's internet site was intercepted by the site administrator.
The incident so upset some members and ex-members that 20 of them signed a letter condemning the message's interception as a "betrayalof the PDA's members.
The PDA has not confirmed what was in the message but it is understood to have contained the suggestion that the PDA's parking petition should be handed in at 10 Downing Street by Jack Crossfield, secretary of the Drivers Action Movement, rather than leading PDA member Pat Nicholson.
Nicholson says the argument is about what sort of organisation the PDA should become: "Some of them want us to fight about pay and conditions, but we weren't set up to do that. We are about uniting the industry and getting people talking."
In an e-mail to members last week she wrote: "The PDA has always acted in the interests of its members, and would be happy to discuss any concerns."
However, disgruntled members accuse Nicholson of failing to listen to their views. Driver and signatory Lucy Radley says: "The message was really the straw that broke the camel's back. The problem is that unless people are friends or supporters of Pat their views don't get listened to."