Whats not been mentioned on this thread once is how do the likes of stobarts, wincanton etc get to take over the running of the transport from the likes of tesco or in your case Argos.
Well that’s very simple and it’s the exact reason you have written this thread.
The likes of Stobarts say for example pay crap wages and strip most of the perks from the drivers and then go in with a low bid in order to secure the contract. It’s a win win for the likes of tesco or Argos because they no longer have to buy the trucks, maintain them, employ drivers or pay their wages saving them a shed load of money in the bargain. Stobarts then pay crap money in order to make sure they can make some sort of profit out of the deal.
There will always be drivers who are willing to work for that sort of money and they know it. No driver shortage at all and plenty of people with licences. The only difference is how many drivers are willing to work for the crap money. That’s not a driver shortage that’s just drivers ( some) standing up and refusing to be taken in by driving a nice shiny truck for a few hundred quid a week.
Unfortunately folks all the moaning in the world will never change it and it’s the way of the world now that we all have to live in.
The good old days of the good pensions, sick pay and OT rates have gone!
Not saying I agree with it but it’s the way it is I’m afraid.
OVLOV JAY:
The rates you’ve seen elsewhere are the reason your company has outsourced to stobarts. Just ask most former Tesco drivers. The once envied in house t’s and c’s are slowly being eaten away. Stobarts contract acquisitions are as damaging to drivers as they are other hauliers. Just like the customers not having much choice other than stobarts to give work too, soon the drivers won’t have much choice but to work for them
Yes I know what Stobarts are like that’s why I didn’t go over to them. I just can’t believe some of the rates drivers are working for. I know it’s different no but in the 80s/90s the unions wouldn’t let this happen. It seems the norm now to work for peanuts or better money on an agency.
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Nowadays the unions members have no backbone and most unions are acting against the interest of its members. Everything is decided behind closed doors between the company and the union. I wouldn’t trust any company or union to act for me.
If drivers pulled together and formed some sort of ‘national driver Union’ they could demand whatever they wanted and basically hold the whole government to ransom. Unfortunately the government keep the wages low and our outgoings high, keeping us [Drivers] suppressed and in line.
It’s my belief politicians are major shareholders of big businesses such as Stobarts, DHL, Wincanton, Tesco etc.
Honestly !
We actually went on strike as soon as we could but it didn’t make any difference. All the company did was to send the work to other depots for a week. I E other contracts. You can’t win.
I notice there are a few drivers who are willing to have better conditions, such as relaxed management easy work, own truck, etc, in return for lower pay. I remember one particular driver’s room conversation a few years ago, where one pitiful driver for a local firm said he was being paid £7.00 per hour. When a Scottish driver asked him why he worked for that pittance, he went onto saying; “Ah well I get my own truck, so I’m happy with that…” The Scottish driver just sledged him, saying something like; “Your kids are eating tinned food because you can’t afford them a decent meal, your missus is having ideas about s******* other fellas, because you’re never at home and you can’t offer her the recompense to buy her nice things, and all you care about is that your DAF XF has a microwave!” As you can imagine, a few jaws dropped!
But he had a point, some people are willing to accept lower pay for a more comfortable life, and it has a knock-on effect, because the firm tries lower pay on with everyone else.
I read an article a while ago in Transport Operator about the driver shortage. They claimed that an over-supply of drivers into the industry in the last decade has caused wages to fall, and conditions to decline. In other words, haulage firms expecting drivers to work more, for less. There are some firms in my area who are renowned for being bad payers, and a few years ago were part of the minimum wage brigade. Now they pay a little bit more, the lowest pay I’ve seen being £8.50 per hour. That excludes Stobart’s £8.33 per hour plus £15 per day dinner money!
A friend of mine went for an interview for one the none payers and asked if the shiny new truck he would be driving would be his after three years? Apparently they just looked at him and he then said well I’m paying for it out of my wages! Lol I would like to think it’s true but you know drivers!
Rottweiler22:
I notice there are a few drivers who are willing to have better conditions, such as relaxed management easy work, own truck, etc, in return for lower pay. I remember one particular driver’s room conversation a few years ago, where one pitiful driver for a local firm said he was being paid £7.00 per hour. When a Scottish driver asked him why he worked for that pittance, he went onto saying; “Ah well I get my own truck, so I’m happy with that…” The Scottish driver just sledged him, saying something like; “Your kids are eating tinned food because you can’t afford them a decent meal, your missus is having ideas about s******* other fellas, because you’re never at home and you can’t offer her the recompense to buy her nice things, and all you care about is that your DAF XF has a microwave!” As you can imagine, a few jaws dropped!
But he had a point, some people are willing to accept lower pay for a more comfortable life, and it has a knock-on effect, because the firm tries lower pay on with everyone else.
I read an article a while ago in Transport Operator about the driver shortage. They claimed that an over-supply of drivers into the industry in the last decade has caused wages to fall, and conditions to decline. In other words, haulage firms expecting drivers to work more, for less. There are some firms in my area who are renowned for being bad payers, and a few years ago were part of the minimum wage brigade. Now they pay a little bit more, the lowest pay I’ve seen being £8.50 per hour. That excludes Stobart’s £8.33 per hour plus £15 per day dinner money!
That’s because some people realise being happy at work is worth it’s weight in gold!
That does not mean to say I think £7.50 an hour is ok, but some people clearly do, or they wouldn’t be driving for it! But I guarantee you the person with a smile on their face all day will live longer than the miserable ■■■■ with a fat wallet…
Rottweiler22:
I notice there are a few drivers who are willing to have better conditions, such as relaxed management easy work, own truck, etc, in return for lower pay. I remember one particular driver’s room conversation a few years ago, where one pitiful driver for a local firm said he was being paid £7.00 per hour. When a Scottish driver asked him why he worked for that pittance, he went onto saying; “Ah well I get my own truck, so I’m happy with that…” The Scottish driver just sledged him, saying something like; “Your kids are eating tinned food because you can’t afford them a decent meal, your missus is having ideas about s******* other fellas, because you’re never at home and you can’t offer her the recompense to buy her nice things, and all you care about is that your DAF XF has a microwave!” As you can imagine, a few jaws dropped!
But he had a point, some people are willing to accept lower pay for a more comfortable life, and it has a knock-on effect, because the firm tries lower pay on with everyone else.
I read an article a while ago in Transport Operator about the driver shortage. They claimed that an over-supply of drivers into the industry in the last decade has caused wages to fall, and conditions to decline. In other words, haulage firms expecting drivers to work more, for less. There are some firms in my area who are renowned for being bad payers, and a few years ago were part of the minimum wage brigade. Now they pay a little bit more, the lowest pay I’ve seen being £8.50 per hour. That excludes Stobart’s £8.33 per hour plus £15 per day dinner money!
That’s because some people realise being happy at work is worth it’s weight in gold!
That does not mean to say I think £7.50 an hour is ok, but some people clearly do, or they wouldn’t be driving for it! But I guarantee you the person with a smile on their face all day will live longer than the miserable [zb] with a fat wallet…
Job satisfaction doesn’t pay the bills though does it.
Judonut:
. We are meant to be skilled workers but are poorly paid because no-one wont’s to pay delivery charges. The government says there is a shortfall of 60,000 and unless pay and conditions improve it will just get worse.
Are we classed as skilled? I doubt it. Even semi skilled. Needing a licence for something doesn’t make one a skilled worker. Or the often mentioned “dealing with tacho regs” or “I could wipe out an entire town with my wagon if I ■■■■ it up”. It’s not rocket science despite some going on about the job as if they’re in bomb disposal. That’s the way industry views it.
Personally I value myself somewhere in the middle, I believe I’m worth a certain level of pay because I do a decent job, it does have a level of responsibility above minimum (also so do a lot of “unskilled” jobs) and I am willing to do a job that is clearly not the most popular choice (Lgv driving)
The only way you’ll get paid more is if they think the only way to get people to do it is to pay more, that’s after they’ve exhausted the cheaper options of mobile agency work forces, importing Johnny foreigners on schemes you name it. Paying employees more is the last step.
Judonut:
A couple of our lads have been to B&M at Crick said they are paying £12.50 but that is only hear say
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Its £12 mon- sat, guaranteed 45 hours, sundays £14, £10 meal/phone allowance per day, 28 days holidays… BH either work or book from allowance.
Ok if you like early’s (2am to 6am)
And pump truck up to 46 pallets off a DD with tail lift (4 hours to tip and load at one store!!), up to 3 stores per trailer.
Judonut:
. We are meant to be skilled workers but are poorly paid because no-one wont’s to pay delivery charges. The government says there is a shortfall of 60,000 and unless pay and conditions improve it will just get worse.
Are we classed as skilled? I doubt it. Even semi skilled. Needing a licence for something doesn’t make one a skilled worker. Or the often mentioned “dealing with tacho regs” or “I could wipe out an entire town with my wagon if I ■■■■ it up”. It’s not rocket science despite some going on about the job as if they’re in bomb disposal. That’s the way industry views it.
Personally I value myself somewhere in the middle, I believe I’m worth a certain level of pay because I do a decent job, it does have a level of responsibility above minimum (also so do a lot of “unskilled” jobs) and I am willing to do a job that is not the most popular choice.
The only way you’ll get paid more is if they think the only way to get people to do it is to pay more, that’s after they’ve exhausted the cheaper options of mobile agency work forces, importing Johnny foreigners on schemes you name it. Paying employees more is the last step.
Agree with you on that. It is all about work life balance and not all about money. However I believe in a far days pay for a far days work. Also you shouldn’t be forced to work excessive hours just to earn a living. Again what others have said if you are willing to work for pennies and are happy that’s up to you.
Judonut:
A couple of our lads have been to B&M at Crick said they are paying £12.50 but that is only hear say
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Its £12 mon- sat, guaranteed 45 hours, sundays £14, £10 meal/phone allowance per day, 28 days holidays… BH either work or book from allowance.
Ok if you like early’s (2am to 6am)
And pump truck up to 46 pallets off a DD with tail lift (4 hours to tip and load at one store!!), up to 3 stores per trailer.
Not so good when you find out the details but still not bad money.
Judonut:
A couple of our lads have been to B&M at Crick said they are paying £12.50 but that is only hear say
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Its £12 mon- sat, guaranteed 45 hours, sundays £14, £10 meal/phone allowance per day, 28 days holidays… BH either work or book from allowance.
Ok if you like early’s (2am to 6am)
And pump truck up to 46 pallets off a DD with tail lift (4 hours to tip and load at one store!!), up to 3 stores per trailer.
Not so good when you find out the details but still not bad money.
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Yes good money but hard work if you’re not used to it… done 45 hours in 4 days… but I can’t do early starts
Judonut:
. We are meant to be skilled workers but are poorly paid because no-one wont’s to pay delivery charges. The government says there is a shortfall of 60,000 and unless pay and conditions improve it will just get worse.
Are we classed as skilled? I doubt it. Even semi skilled. Needing a licence for something doesn’t make one a skilled worker. Or the often mentioned “dealing with tacho regs” or “I could wipe out an entire town with my wagon if I ■■■■ it up”. It’s not rocket science despite some going on about the job as if they’re in bomb disposal. That’s the way industry views it.
Personally I value myself somewhere in the middle, I believe I’m worth a certain level of pay because I do a decent job, it does have a level of responsibility above minimum (also so do a lot of “unskilled” jobs) and I am willing to do a job that is not the most popular choice.
The only way you’ll get paid more is if they think the only way to get people to do it is to pay more, that’s after they’ve exhausted the cheaper options of mobile agency work forces, importing Johnny foreigners on schemes you name it. Paying employees more is the last step.
Agree with you on that. It is all about work life balance and not all about money. However I believe in a far days pay for a far days work. Also you shouldn’t be forced to work excessive hours just to earn a living. Again what others have said if you are willing to work for pennies and are happy that’s up to you.
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I edited my second paragraph to make it more clear.
I personally won’t work for pennies or rubbish hours for reasons I gave. I get paid well and decent hours and it’s what I was willing to accept for what I offer. But not because I think what I do is exceptionally “skilled” to be honest.
Judonut:
. We are meant to be skilled workers but are poorly paid because no-one wont’s to pay delivery charges. The government says there is a shortfall of 60,000 and unless pay and conditions improve it will just get worse.
Are we classed as skilled? I doubt it. Even semi skilled. Needing a licence for something doesn’t make one a skilled worker. Or the often mentioned “dealing with tacho regs” or “I could wipe out an entire town with my wagon if I ■■■■ it up”. It’s not rocket science despite some going on about the job as if they’re in bomb disposal. That’s the way industry views it.
Personally I value myself somewhere in the middle, I believe I’m worth a certain level of pay because I do a decent job, it does have a level of responsibility above minimum (also so do a lot of “unskilled” jobs) and I am willing to do a job that is not the most popular choice.
The only way you’ll get paid more is if they think the only way to get people to do it is to pay more, that’s after they’ve exhausted the cheaper options of mobile agency work forces, importing Johnny foreigners on schemes you name it. Paying employees more is the last step.
Agree with you on that. It is all about work life balance and not all about money. However I believe in a far days pay for a far days work. Also you shouldn’t be forced to work excessive hours just to earn a living. Again what others have said if you are willing to work for pennies and are happy that’s up to you.
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I personally won’t work for pennies or rubbish hours for reasons I gave. But not because I think what I do is exceptionally “skilled” to be honest.
Don’t put yourself down we are skilled. To get a class one these days takes some doing. It’s a lot harder now than my day. I went from a car straight to artic in a week. I hadn’t a clue when I first started learnt it as I went along. New drivers have to jump through so many hoops and do so much just to drive a truck. Yes it’s not rocket science but there are jobs out there that require half a brain and jobs where you are a steering wheel attendant. All skill one way or another. We just do it everyday so class it as easy but look at the standard of car/van drivers out there and I think we are skilled!
One problem that I haven’t seen mentioned is the ex forces (and other) employees who come into driving with a semi decent pension from their previous employment and therefore think the £450/week money is ok 'cos they have £100 or so already in their pocket. It’s not their fault but it doesn’t help us and I can remember this being an issue 40 years ago - lived near Catterick.
OVLOV JAY:
No but there’s got to be a balance between money and satisfaction
Spot on. My job is pretty boring but the money is pretty good from when I talk to other drivers and 6.30 16-30 Monday to Friday and every other saturday morning and 20 minute each way commute mean it fits round family life well.
My mate works on tankers and is on a good bit more but works permanent nights 4 on 4 off.
He has a young family like me but barely sees them but his financial situatoon leaved him with little choice but do it.
He keeps offering to get me a start and thinks it’s odd I’m not intrested but I earn enough to have a decent quality of living and get quality family time.
OVLOV JAY:
No but there’s got to be a balance between money and satisfaction
Spot on. My job is pretty boring but the money is pretty good from when I talk to other drivers and 6.30 16-30 Monday to Friday and every other saturday morning and 20 minute each way commute mean it fits round family life well.
My mate works on tankers and is on a good bit more but works permanent nights 4 on 4 off.
He has a young family like me but barely sees them but his financial situatoon leaved him with little choice but do it.
He keeps offering to get me a start and thinks it’s odd I’m not intrested but I earn enough to have a decent quality of living and get quality family time.
And thats exactly how it should be.
We all have a hand of cards we’re dealt and we play them as best we can.
If you look around there is always work to suit what you want or need, when your needs change then its time to move on.