Moving Target,, Issue #4, Summer 1989
compiled by A.D., C.C. Brave, Buffalo, Daily cyclist,Mark Floyd
BYE BYE
MT would like to say "goodbye and thank you" to founder-memberPaul Skillbeck who we gather has gone on to do impressive things with apen and a mountain-bike. We wish him well.
GETTING THE NEEDLE
"Motorcycle courier John Orchard, aged 19, was fined £250 and bannedfrom driving for six months by West Bromwich magistrates after he lost50,000 hypodermic needles off his bike, causing £16,500, worth of puncturesto 141 vehicles and blocking the M5 and M6," Guardian June 2nd.
UNION BLUES
Ever wondered why someone doesn't start a union and give cc's some powerover their working conditions ? Well someone has, two people in fact. Lastissue's suggestions from the LCC seem to have stirred things up somewhatand moves are now afoot to form the London Bicycle couriers Association.Co-incidently at much the same time the Dispatch Industry Workers Unionwas being organised. At the time of going to print there had been no contactbetween the groups. The D.I.W.U. was formed by individuals from the motorisedside of the industry but is keen to attract membership from all workers,cyclists, drivers, controllers, telephonists, secretaries, mechanics, everyone.-Except the bosses. Their newsletter 'Road to Rebellion' is informativethough aimed mainly at motorcyclists. Its basic aim is to reorganise thedispatch industry so that it improves pay and conditions for the ridersand it proposes that members form workplace groups and become active campaigningbranches of the Union. Membership is £1.00 per week if working or 10p ifoff work through sickness, blacklisting, or strike. More information isavailable from: D.I.W.U., PO Box 514, Brockley, SE4 1 DL.
The LBCA is not as organised yet but is certainly not lacking in ambition.After an initial tie up with the LCC it is now negotiating for affiliationwith the TGWU which could provide it with office space and admin backing.Amongst it's comprehensive list of aims and proposals are: an agency toallow cc's to move more easily from company to company and to regulatethe numbers of new riders per company; a campaign for helmet wearing, morehelpful road markings and basic rates of pay; court representation formembers; insurance cover, and a mobile repair service. Those interestedshould contact Mark Covell c/o 39 Azof St. Maze Hill, Greenwich, SE10.Or phone 261 0387.
WORLD DOMINATION
As you will probably be aware we intend to take over the running ofthe planet by issue six or seven. But we thought it only right to let peopleknow who we are, so we did a bit of P.R. work first. So far Charlie B.has done his bit for the cause by appearing on Channel 4's "SurvivorsGuide" and Andy Dickson, Buffalo, and Mayn 1 gave their all in a probingL.B.C. Radio interview. In the printed media 'Bicycle Magazine' have givenus a glowing report "...intended for courier consumption but has anedge to it's writing that will appeal to many other cyclists.- 'The Standardhas mentioned us in dispatches, and last but best 'I-D' and The Face' noless, each devoted several column inches to our mission"....strongon photography, attractively designed, wittily written and offers a soapbox to what has became something of an urban counter culture" (TheFace. So now you know what you are !) Stylish...offbeat. Fresh, illuminatingand slim enough to slip into the pocket of your Assos tights." (I-D).Heady stuff eh! Watch out for issue six or seven.
KIDS STUFF
The childrens' programme ’But First This' got a couriers eye view oflife by mounting a camera to the bike of Mark Floyd (Sky). The film isabout seven minutes long and should go out between 9.45 and 10.10 on Tuesday25th July
Gutter Press aims to keep you informed about cc's, theirinterests, and the industry.
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