It's arrived, Minimum wage for class 1

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
61

ezydriver:
There’s a huge difference between somebody who has just acquired a C+E licence, and somebody who has a full ADR, clean C+E licence, 15 years experience, all DCPC modules completed, and can boast a CV with flats, fridges, containers, skips, tankers, curtainsiders, and low loaders with European experience too. The latter has become highly skilled and knowledgeable and would have the qualifications, confidence and acumen to drive anything (including a vehicle with a twin splitter gearbox) anywhere without incident.
.

That is true, but the sad fact for us in that category is that a lot of firms would rather employ guys that they can mould into their ways, look at the …Stobart “ACADEMY” :unamused: for instance.
They (not specifically Stobarts before anybody jumps :unamused: ) don’t want “proper drivers” that know more than their “planners”… such as those that will use the benefits of their vast experience, and show individual initiative.
Instead they prefer a subservient robot that can be watched on a tracker driving on the A to B route set by them who is a phone call away if he dares to deviate from it.
They want somebody that will believe and accept co. b/s without question, and accept ■■■■■■■■ like in- cab cameras and driver monitor systems as the norm, those that never stand up for themselves when subject to their pedantic and unfair rules on discipline procedures that include for instance drivers paying for damage to save on their insurance premiums :open_mouth:
They know these guys will roll over and bend over without question, so they offer minimum wage knowing that these types outnumber the old style type of driver, and as an incentive give them a top range motor with spotlights… bingo! everybody’s happy.
So their positions WILL be filled and drivers such as us have to try and contend for jobs against these stars.

62

fredthered:
Yet another thread bemoaning wages.

Do something about it, get off your lazy fat [zb] and change it - its what the ballot box is for.

FFS!

In theory this is a good idea, but which choice of government would change the status quo? Certainly not Labour or Conservative. And whilst the Liberals have already committed political suicide, they wouldn’t change it either.

So saying the ballot box is the answer is crass in the extreme. The only way change will happen is by peaceful mass public dis-obedience. (And I don’t mean illegal actions, I mean by a withdrawal of labour.)

Unfortunately, it didn’t work for the miners, and they had the benefit of solidarity. Can you imagine truck drivers all doing the same thing for the grater good? No, me neither.

So please, fredthered, get off your lazy fat [zb] and make a more constructive suggestion if you have one!

63

EastAnglianTrucker:

fredthered:
Yet another thread bemoaning wages.

Do something about it, get off your lazy fat [zb] and change it - its what the ballot box is for.

FFS!

In theory this is a good idea, but which choice of government would change the status quo? Certainly not Labour or Conservative. And whilst the Liberals have already committed political suicide, they wouldn’t change it either.

So saying the ballot box is the answer is crass in the extreme. The only way change will happen is by peaceful mass public dis-obedience. (And I don’t mean illegal actions, I mean by a withdrawal of labour.)

Unfortunately, it didn’t work for the miners, and they had the benefit of solidarity. Can you imagine truck drivers all doing the same thing for the grater good? No, me neither.

What you say is true, and the government is not interested in the haulage industry as long as they see it as running smoothly.
The fact that we are running excessive hours due to Euro set rules, have few suitable parking facilities, and work for ■■■■ wages does not concern them, and as you say until we all stick together French style it will always be the same, but again as you say, dream on, it will never happen.
Also which party represents us and other working people, certainly not the middle class “Labour Party” :unamused:

64

tommy t:
Alot of out of work lgv1 drivers would be spared from crap driving jobs like that, as they probably won’t have done their DCPC, and there seems to be little or no point in them spending /borrowing money to fund it if the only jobs out there are sherking out of paying a proper wage,Unless government starts funding the DCPC for those who are unemployed

Well - they have funded some people to take their HGV tests. We had some in our yard getting some experience.

65

EastAnglianTrucker:

fredthered:
Yet another thread bemoaning wages.

Do something about it, get off your lazy fat [zb] and change it - its what the ballot box is for.

FFS!

In theory this is a good idea, but which choice of government would change the status quo? Certainly not Labour or Conservative. And whilst the Liberals have already committed political suicide, they wouldn’t change it either.

So saying the ballot box is the answer is crass in the extreme. The only way change will happen is by peaceful mass public dis-obedience. (And I don’t mean illegal actions, I mean by a withdrawal of labour.)

Unfortunately, it didn’t work for the miners, and they had the benefit of solidarity. Can you imagine truck drivers all doing the same thing for the grater good? No, me neither.

So please, fredthered, get off your lazy fat [zb] and make a more constructive suggestion if you have one!

Well fella. I’ll assume I’m from a different generation to you? You obviously missed the point - there IS choice out there and you and your kind need to take off those blinkers and see it.

Apathy is the problem.

I do my duty and use the vote that I was given to try and make a difference.

My father fought for both better living standards and fairness in the work place amongst many other things. It would not now seem to have been a good idea to do so. So many now sit there asking what can be done instead of using that vote to try and change things - if you’re happy crack on.

MY fat arse is okay thank you - but the likes of you are obviously ‘all right jack’ and much prefer to be told what to do instead of telling others what to do for you!

Sorry for being crass but I’ve been around long enough to know what ■■■■ looks and smells like. I certainly don’t intend to eat any so feel free to have my portion - enjoy! :wink:

66

fredthered:
Well fella. I’ll assume I’m from a different generation to you? You obviously missed the point - there IS choice out there and you and your kind need to take off those blinkers and see it.

Apathy is the problem.

I do my duty and use the vote that I was given to try and make a difference.

My father fought for both better living standards and fairness in the work place amongst many other things. It would not now seem to have been a good idea to do so. So many now sit there asking what can be done instead of using that vote to try and change things - if you’re happy crack on.

MY fat arse is okay thank you - but the likes of you are obviously ‘all right jack’ and much prefer to be told what to do instead of telling others what to do for you!

Sorry for being crass but I’ve been around long enough to know what [zb] looks and smells like. I certainly don’t intend to eat any so feel free to have my portion - enjoy! :wink:

Though your sentiment resonates with me, can you firstly suggest what change is out there, and how we can realistically instigate it? Secondly, can you suggest a viable political party to vote for in relation to change for us?

After that, we’ve then got to consider the army of disinterested drivers who are reasonably happy, who only care about taking home a wage of sorts, and who have no personal or political interest in fighting for improvement.

67

There seems to be such a wide variance in the wages of truck drivers but whilst there are some jobs which are on the low side there seem to be others that pay very well. The problem with the industry as I see it is that you can people driving from outside the UK or even get your licence from there cheaply and still drive here. That’s what drives down wages.

68

tommy t:
Alot of out of work lgv1 drivers would be spared from crap driving jobs like that, as they probably won’t have done their DCPC, and there seems to be little or no point in them spending /borrowing money to fund it if the only jobs out there are sherking out of paying a proper wage,Unless government starts funding the DCPC for those who are unemployed

I agree entirely, I don’t have a DCPC and there’s no way I could afford it. All I have behind me is a working lifetime in the haulage industry on Class 1 :unamused:

Obviously only worth just over £6/hour :frowning:

Never mind, if you want comedy look at this;

hgvtraining.co.uk/hgv-driver … stics.html

69

Fastrantiger:
if you want comedy look at this;

hgvtraining.co.uk/hgv-driver … stics.html

“You’ll get your fair share of shifts, and you’ll drive mapped-out routes. You’ll get a free uniform and at some sites benefit from a subsidised canteen, with free hot drinks”

Shut up and take my money!!

70

…Full time work as opposed to a full time job. :imp:

71

NewLad:
Oh not forgetting a CLEAN driving licence, they want clotted cream but are paying for skimmed milk!

Or Sterilised Milk :stuck_out_tongue:

Sterilised Milk.jpg

72

ezydriver:

Fastrantiger:
if you want comedy look at this;

hgvtraining.co.uk/hgv-driver … stics.html

“You’ll get your fair share of shifts, and you’ll drive mapped-out routes. You’ll get a free uniform and at some sites benefit from a subsidised canteen, with free hot drinks”

Shut up and take my money!!

Many drivers choose to work 55+ hours a week, in line with legislation.

Who CHOOSES to work 55+ hrs per week? We do it because the hourly rate is ■■■■ poor, not because we love being in the truck for 6 days straight. :unamused:

73

fredthered:
Well fella. I’ll assume I’m from a different generation to you? You obviously missed the point - there IS choice out there and you and your kind need to take off those blinkers and see it.

Apathy is the problem.

I do my duty and use the vote that I was given to try and make a difference.

My father fought for both better living standards and fairness in the work place amongst many other things. It would not now seem to have been a good idea to do so. So many now sit there asking what can be done instead of using that vote to try and change things - if you’re happy crack on.

MY fat arse is okay thank you - but the likes of you are obviously ‘all right jack’ and much prefer to be told what to do instead of telling others what to do for you!

Sorry for being crass but I’ve been around long enough to know what [zb] looks and smells like. I certainly don’t intend to eat any so feel free to have my portion - enjoy! :wink:

Well thanks for your incorrect assumptions fella!

If you had more than a pair of brain cells, you’d plainly see that your “vote” has absolutely no chance of changing anything unless a majority of the public vote in exactly the same way that you do. And that means by electing a political party that will change the status quo.

What you have failed to do, because you can’t, is actually list all those parties that are, or will be, standing for election in enough constituencies in this country, that have publicly committed themselves to significantly increase the pay of not just truck drivers, but all low paid workers. Go on, list them! And now tell me you believe what they say enough to give them your vote and expect a majority of others to do the same.

You can do what you consider your duty until you’re blue in the face, but it won’t change anything. The difference is that me and my kind, have recognised that fact, whilst you and your kind keep on believing that you have any influence in how this country is governed.

I didn’t say I was happy with the situation, nor did I say I was “all right jack” or that I was prepared to be told what to do. I’m a realist in an ocean of apathy, and no, I haven’t missed the point. In fact I explained the only way things are likely to change in this country, whilst all you could do was complain about; “…another thread bemoaning wages.”

If you could actually read, you would have been able to see that I was advocating a way for the status quo to (maybe) change. Unfortunately all you can see is your own red mist and make fatuous suggestions. And that, after knowing full well that the last 150 years of parliamentary history, prove beyond a shadow of any doubt, that your vote will change nothing as long as the political choices remain interchangeable with the exception of the colours of their election posters.

I’m certain you didn’t even bother to read what I wrote in my earlier post, so at the risk of you venting your spleen once more, I’ll repeat here what I wrote there. Calm down fella… and beware that red mist of yours!

So saying the ballot box is the answer is crass in the extreme. The only way change will happen is by peaceful mass public dis-obedience. (And I don’t mean illegal actions, I mean by a withdrawal of labour.)
Unfortunately, it didn’t work for the miners, and they had the benefit of solidarity. Can you imagine truck drivers all doing the same thing for the grater good? No, me neither.
So please, fredthered, get off your lazy fat [zb] and make a more constructive suggestion if you have one!

74

<Pulls up chair, opens popcorn…>

75

EastAnglianTrucker:

fredthered:
Well fella. I’ll assume I’m from a different generation to you? You obviously missed the point - there IS choice out there and you and your kind need to take off those blinkers and see it.

Apathy is the problem.

I do my duty and use the vote that I was given to try and make a difference.

My father fought for both better living standards and fairness in the work place amongst many other things. It would not now seem to have been a good idea to do so. So many now sit there asking what can be done instead of using that vote to try and change things - if you’re happy crack on.

MY fat arse is okay thank you - but the likes of you are obviously ‘all right jack’ and much prefer to be told what to do instead of telling others what to do for you!

Sorry for being crass but I’ve been around long enough to know what [zb] looks and smells like. I certainly don’t intend to eat any so feel free to have my portion - enjoy! :wink:

Well thanks for your incorrect assumptions fella!

If you had more than a pair of brain cells, you’d plainly see that your “vote” has absolutely no chance of changing anything unless a majority of the public vote in exactly the same way that you do. And that means by electing a political party that will change the status quo.

What you have failed to do, because you can’t, is actually list all those parties that are, or will be, standing for election in enough constituencies in this country, that have publicly committed themselves to significantly increase the pay of not just truck drivers, but all low paid workers. Go on, list them! And now tell me you believe what they say enough to give them your vote and expect a majority of others to do the same.

You can do what you consider your duty until you’re blue in the face, but it won’t change anything. The difference is that me and my kind, have recognised that fact, whilst you and your kind keep on believing that you have any influence in how this country is governed.

I didn’t say I was happy with the situation, nor did I say I was “all right jack” or that I was prepared to be told what to do. I’m a realist in an ocean of apathy, and no, I haven’t missed the point. In fact I explained the only way things are likely to change in this country, whilst all you could do was complain about; “…another thread bemoaning wages.”

If you could actually read, you would have been able to see that I was advocating a way for the status quo to (maybe) change. Unfortunately all you can see is your own red mist and make fatuous suggestions. And that, after knowing full well that the last 150 years of parliamentary history, prove beyond a shadow of any doubt, that your vote will change nothing as long as the political choices remain interchangeable with the exception of the colours of their election posters.

I’m certain you didn’t even bother to read what I wrote in my earlier post, so at the risk of you venting your spleen once more, I’ll repeat here what I wrote there. Calm down fella… and beware that red mist of yours!

So saying the ballot box is the answer is crass in the extreme. The only way change will happen is by peaceful mass public dis-obedience. (And I don’t mean illegal actions, I mean by a withdrawal of labour.)
Unfortunately, it didn’t work for the miners, and they had the benefit of solidarity. Can you imagine truck drivers all doing the same thing for the grater good? No, me neither.
So please, fredthered, get off your lazy fat [zb] and make a more constructive suggestion if you have one!

Well! I don’t believe that I have suffered from the ‘red mist’ problem that seems to have affected you!

This will be my only response to your rant - I hope it calms your blood!

  1. Firstly let me say that I only make assumptions when I don’t know who I’m dealing with and do not summarily insult an unknown person.
  2. I certainly don’t insult people I don’t know - when I said get off your arse and do something about it at the ballot box that’s all I meant in general. People should use the vote they have - when enough do then things ‘might’ just start to change. Its not my place to list the alternatives for others - the information is out there and freely available. Beleive it or not people will change if they really want to - they just need to be encouraged.
  3. I did not bemoan the thread - I merely pointed out that people do have a choice if they choose to use it - this forum will not influence politics.
  4. I can prove (if it were ever needed) that I have more than 2 (two IS a pair I beleive?) brain cells.
  5. To call me ‘crass’ (meaning amongst other things as showing no intelligence or sensitivity) is downright rude when you know nothing of me.
  6. To say I’m ‘fatuous’ (meaning silly and pointless) is again only showing your lack of knowledge of anything about me - I, just like you am entitled an opinion.
  7. To imply that I am unable to read is also incorrect - how on earth did I manage to respond to your attack if I couldn’t?
  8. My politics are my own and my ethical, moral and social compasses are working just fine.
  9. If YOU want to raise wages of the low paid worker why not become an MP? They earn a good living I’m told and you can make a real difference!
  10. Apathy (lack of interest or concern) just in case you were unsure.

My final thought though is your remark about the miners. I have mining in my family both directly and indirectly and the point you make about the miners being together is correct - where you erred (stated incorrectly) is that they were lead by a mouse with a big voice (and inept against Thatcher),the country was mislead by the ruling politicians into beleiving that the country was on the brink and therefore they did not wish to support them.

Oh! And by the way - I’m going to lower my own high standards now - and just say that I don’t like turnips either! :grimacing:

76

fredthered:
Well! I don’t believe that I have suffered from the ‘red mist’ problem that seems to have affected you!

This will be my only response to your rant - I hope it calms your blood!

  1. Firstly let me say that I only make assumptions when I don’t know who I’m dealing with and do not summarily insult an unknown person.
  2. I certainly don’t insult people I don’t know - when I said get off your arse and do something about it at the ballot box that’s all I meant in general. People should use the vote they have - when enough do then things ‘might’ just start to change. Its not my place to list the alternatives for others - the information is out there and freely available. Beleive it or not people will change if they really want to - they just need to be encouraged.
  3. I did not bemoan the thread - I merely pointed out that people do have a choice if they choose to use it - this forum will not influence politics.
  4. I can prove (if it were ever needed) that I have more than 2 (two IS a pair I beleive?) brain cells.
  5. To call me ‘crass’ (meaning amongst other things as showing no intelligence or sensitivity) is downright rude when you know nothing of me.
  6. To say I’m ‘fatuous’ (meaning silly and pointless) is again only showing your lack of knowledge of anything about me - I, just like you am entitled an opinion.
  7. To imply that I am unable to read is also incorrect - how on earth did I manage to respond to your attack if I couldn’t?
  8. My politics are my own and my ethical, moral and social compasses are working just fine.
  9. If YOU want to raise wages of the low paid worker why not become an MP? They earn a good living I’m told and you can make a real difference!
  10. Apathy (lack of interest or concern) just in case you were unsure.

My final thought though is your remark about the miners. I have mining in my family both directly and indirectly and the point you make about the miners being together is correct - where you erred (stated incorrectly) is that they were lead by a mouse with a big voice (and inept against Thatcher),the country was mislead by the ruling politicians into beleiving that the country was on the brink and therefore they did not wish to support them.

Oh! And by the way - I’m going to lower my own high standards now - and just say that I don’t like turnips either! :grimacing:

And all that changes what exactly? Of course, nothing!

So your original post, no sorry, statement of your opinion, is as pointless now, as it was when you posted it. The status quo remains the same, and your suggestion that people should get off their fat arses and vote if they want change, remains, except in your own mind, also equally fallacious.

If you could actually produce any sort of answer to the question you were asked, which if you’ll remember, was to come up with a list of political parties to vote for, that would actually change the status quo, then we might have moved the discussion on a little. But no, all you can do is forget that part of the discussion, which neatly avoids the obvious idiocy of suggesting people should exercise their “choice” and vote for change.

Although there is one thing I agree with you about. I don’t like like turnips either!

77

It makes me laugh how company’s pay a rubbish basic then try and make it look good by how much they pay night out money.
That’s fine until you go on holiday then it’s 4wks at absolute basic pay .
This is how bad the pay has got where I live ,
My daughter is on more per hour working at are local supermarket than what the local transport company’s are paying .
I know it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but it does make you stop and think.

78

Minimum wage has less to do with politics where vocational driving (and other trades) is concerned and has more to do with employers and agencies in particular, trying to screw extra profit off the back of the worker who is earning them their money.

Case in point. Local agency offering £7 hour class 2, delivering milk to local stores. I thought at the time ‘good luck with that’. Obviously not enough takers, so they have now upped that to £8 hour. Still not enough, but it goes to show if you hold out the rates will go up when the trucks are standing idle in someone’s yard. :bulb: