Herongate:
Truckersworld… How many members did you have? How many requested and got a refund?PDU - how many current members do you have, having paid £5? How many have left since joining?
Some just post without reading.
Still post it again then some might instead of just going on
This is a long Read but if you are truly interested in knowing about the PDU and been asking question or just watching then please read before more questions are put forward.
Well Sat & Sun were an interesting 2 days and I have never typed so much in my life.
Having been bed re-cooped and now been back over the pages to digest what has happened.
Those 2 days were a bit like sitting round a board table with 20 people asking a question all at once instead of one standing up asking a question and ten giving time to answer it with merit. I felt like standing up and shouting “shut up and talk one at a time”
An open forum cannot allow for that, so I “tried” to answer quickly briefly, very briefly and to some what may have seen as elusive. That was not very good in hindsight.
Although some questions were answered briefly they were answered but some did not get the answer they wanted and so went on a rant and rave to try and get the answer they wanted. A bit like asking for a Mortgage being told no and then shouting at the supervisor for the wrong answer.
As said I have gone back and tried to digest the principle questions most are asking and will now attempt to answer a bit clearer. Split into paragraphs so you can look for your answer.
FINANCIES
This seems to be so important to some and I suspect in some circumstances, so they can look at digging up some dirt to show the PDU in a bad light.
I do not remember when I joined union years ago or my local bowls club sitting down and demanding accounts and finances before joining. Do you all when joining other activities “Demand” to see all the books and accounts? Or do you join because it is of interest to you.
However it is your money so you need to be careful however much and at £5.00 or over 3 year’s 3.2p a week it is a lot.
Firstly all monies are going into a separate bank account for the PDU-UK and will be accountable and if possible at an AGM accounts will be available. Who those accounts are handled by is none of your business and you will have to take my word for it.
Some on here trying to dish the dirt are quick to say it is a scam, lining his own pockets, a retirement plan. “I WISH” I will always be out of pocket using my own money.
I stumped up the initial cost to purchase the Membership packages, as the £5.00 comes in it will go into the bank to purchase the next batch and so I will never get my money back.
£5.00 Income from Membership, then nearly £5.00 sent out to the Member as a Welcome Package, a small amount over might help towards the monthly cost of the website, Forum and form and database handling fees
If the cost of the Merchandise goes up next year then I might be out of pocket for each new member as the £5.00 will not increase.
So yes, I am making a fortune in trying to do something to help Drivers in the UK.
THE MEMBERSHIP
Some asked how many members and received the reply I will not say due to good reason.
Not the answer some wanted so off they went on their rant and rave because it was not the answer they wanted.
Whether the PDU has got one member or 10,000 you will join because what it offers to do is what you want and the actual membership in place makes no difference.
Those asking this question possibly hoped I would answer a low number so they again had an opportunity to put ridicule in place, "Ha.ha, no support it cannot be very good then”
This Forum and others like it do not have members that are only Drivers, many in places of Authority join to read and watch what drivers are up to. I can assure of this as in my forum I have a Government Minister and an ex- RHA Director as members plus others.
So firstly always be careful what you post, secondly I do not want those in higher Authority to know the numbers presently in the PDU-UK. Hence my answer “FOR GOOD REASON”
If you consider the PDU could help then you will join whether it is 10 or 10,000
PLANNING
I put the foundations of the PDU-UK in place.
Over the years talking to many drivers, doing surveys and gathering information recognized there is a need for unity and then to try and tackle the many issues Drivers have within the Industry and a higher level of Government.
The primary issues are published, with possible solutions and means to resolve them.
The first target is to try and bring Drivers together in unity to build the house on the foundations.
The second target for the PDU is to introduce these issues to those in a position of Authority to negotiate the improvements required by Drivers and to benefit everyone and open a door for further talks on resolving the matter at hand.
The Third Target is to ensure the PDU collects as much information as possible from drivers to ensure when addressing the issues it is truly to their requirement. It will then be possible to make a proper presentation for further talks to commence.
Once a professional presentation is available and ready. The PDU then needs to form a lobby of 5-7 Drivers to take these talks further with those in Authority. Each meeting might involve a different lobby of Drivers. It is no good taking five drivers that only do days for talks on overnight parking, or drivers who are under 45 for talks on medicals cost. Each meeting will need its own organising.
There can be no time scale; nothing can happen overnight or quickly, no miracles are in place. To tackle issues will take time so when appropriate benefits can truly be achieved.
The Foundations are in place, but the house will need many professionals, a lot of experience, some alterations, and time to build the brickwork and then together put the roof on to the satisfaction of all involved.
One man cannot build a house; it needs a team, a unity working together on the same project.
MEMBERSHIP COST
Many are asking why was it not FREE or why does it need to cost £5.00
Many of you on here are also members of FB Groups, some with a very large number of drivers so why do one of these groups not arrange meetings and talk to Authority to get improvements.
Mainly because to talk to those at a higher level seriously then you need recognition in doing so.
The PDU-UK could become that name with recognition and so it also wants the membership to be seen as part of it with recognition by ID Card.
It is simply the way the PDU wants to go, some like it some may not but that is the decision of the PDU
£5.00 to join and receive the recognition as part of it.
On becoming a Member with recognition and ID Card can then also bring about its own reward which is why the PDU also decided on this rather than being Free. Already discounts are in place and more to come over time and so all should get their money back and more. Gloves, Sat navs, boots clothing are all available now and just one purchase and you money is back in your pocket.
If and when if possible, there may be an AGM so we can meet up and discuss what the PDU is doing right or wrong. The ID Card will give admission to these and if free there would be no way of knowing.
The PDU-UK is not a scam, it is something new to try and bring drivers together to build a very big house or in fact one that has been falling down for 20 years and needs strengthening back up.
Authorities keep kicking out bricks and making it more difficult to repair and as Drivers you need to stop them continually kicking it, fight back and re build so we can have a safe place and a strong foundation for future generations.
I will as time allows continue to answer questions, This has answered some and if it is not the answer you wanted, then it is not for you.
As from now I will ignore certain members of this forum, false accusation, a friend told me this, ridicule without an ounce of interest, like it or not the PDU will not shut down.
Thank you and I hope some will be respectful so this topic can continue and inform those that are actually interested and I can answer their questions.