As above, would you if it was the job and in the area you like driving around? I’ve sent a cv to a tipper operator because I’m fed up handballing, and doing job and finish where I end up working over my paid hours. Problem is, I doubt the tipper firms wages are as good.
I took a substancial pay cut at the start of 2009, the boss reckoned that due to work levels, and it were true that we were standing a couple off days a week, that he could not carry on paying at the rate he was, so agree to a pay cut we did. once cut, when work increased are wages didnt, by October 09 enough was enough and of I went to pastures new, and everything was sold up a week later 
Thats the 1st and last time I will take a pay cut from the same company, but I would take a lower paid job if it fitted my personal requirments at the time 
I did as one of the blue eyed boys on the company on steel (Sunday runner - could almost guarantee me getting a Teesside to South Wales run, where most would get a early Birmingham tip ), would get back in the yard when the guys were getting sent home, and get a job “out the drawer” put away for the most favoured lads to run out with- and gave it all up to get a start on abnormal loads with a different company- starting right at the bottom with the worst unit in the yard and only trusted to fit light bulbs and lenses. took me over a 6 months to get onto any decent work and over a year to get onto Cat 3 work, all the time for far less than I was earning before, Why because I wanted the challenge, money is nice but not everything when you are spending half your life each week doing something, If you dont enjoy it then it spoils the time you are not working
A couple years down the line I was earning money I could only dream of before , I look at that year as an investment, time to learn, and also time to realise no matter how good you were in your last job, if your doing something completely different you have to learn and prove yourself again before you regain those blue eyes.- start at the bottom and work up
Happiness is much more important than a few extra quid in my opinion. So do what makes you happy
Rikki-UK:
I did as one of the blue eyed boys on the company on steel (Sunday runner - could almost guarantee me getting a Teesside to South Wales run, where most would get a early Birmingham tip ), would get back in the yard when the guys were getting sent home, and get a job “out the drawer” put away for the most favoured lads to run out with- and gave it all up to get a start on abnormal loads with a different company- starting right at the bottom with the worst unit in the yard and only trusted to fit light bulbs and lenses. took me over a 6 months to get onto any decent work and over a year to get onto Cat 3 work, all the time for far less than I was earning before, Why because I wanted the challenge, money is nice but not everything when you are spending half your life each week doing something, If you dont enjoy it then it spoils the time you are not workingA couple years down the line I was earning money I could only dream of before , I look at that year as an investment, time to learn, and also time to realise no matter how good you were in your last job, if your doing something completely different you have to learn and prove yourself again before you regain those blue eyes.- start at the bottom and work up
Absolutely sound advice. There is so much more to life. I’ve done exactly the same in the past, learning is always useful and will lead you places you never dreamed of.
You have to do what is right for you, if your personal circumstances allow you to work for a little less without struggling financially go for it. You don’t sound happy in your job all the hand balling and being double manned with little time behind the wheel can’t be much fun at all. I know I’d have to take a pretty hefty wage cut if I left my place but I’m saving for a bigger home to start a family so although some days I like the idea off doing an easier days work else where I need to stay where the money is at the moment and after being at my place so long I doubt ill ever go although some times I just want to learn something new, you’ll be going back on the tippers doing something you already know so your reasons are neither for experience or the money but for an easier day and some happiness so id say as long as you can afford the cut then it sounds like its something you need to do.
NEVER … Agree to a pay cut from any company, it’s all BS, does the boss take the same percentage of pay cut ? … you can bet your life he didn’t and even so the same percentage amounts to not much for someone already making a lot more than you or me.
I have worked for a few companies that tried the 'We all need to tighten our belts" speech but it doesn’t wash with me and they soon backed down when you point out their flashy company cars etc, my company hasn’t even tried to get us to take pay cuts, in fact it has increased our rates, which is just as well considering they now have an executive jet to flit about in 
The main rival in the refinery where I work out of already paid well bellow ours with no benefits, holiday or sickness aid and has told it’s drivers they have to take a pay cut so they were making about 15% less than us even without the little extras and now are on about 20% less due to our increase. I can’t get through to those idiots how much their boss is ripping them off.
Pat Hasler:
NEVER … Agree to a pay cut from any company, it’s all BS, does the boss take the same percentage of pay cut ? … you can bet your life he didn’t and even so the same percentage amounts to not much for someone already making a lot more than you or me.
I have worked for a few companies that tried the 'We all need to tighten our belts" speech but it doesn’t wash with me and they soon backed down when you point out their flashy company cars etc, my company hasn’t even tried to get us to take pay cuts, in fact it has increased our rates, which is just as well considering they now have an executive jet to flit about in
The main rival in the refinery where I work out of already paid well bellow ours with no benefits, holiday or sickness aid and has told it’s drivers they have to take a pay cut so they were making about 15% less than us even without the little extras and now are on about 20% less due to our increase. I can’t get through to those idiots how much their boss is ripping them off.
All of this is correct.
Except he’s not talking about working for the same firm for less money.
I took a 20% pay cut once. So did all the staff, boss included. This saved the company and we were put back on our original rates when work picked up. That was 20 years ago and the company is still trading. Had we not taken the cut, company would have gone bust. Some did leave of their own accord, but that was expected.
Would I do it again? Depends on the company/boss/prospects, but yes I would.
Paul
switchlogic:
Happiness is much more important than a few extra quid in my opinion. So do what makes you happy
This ^^^^
Your state of mind and personal contentment is far more important than the state of your wallet… You’re obviously not happy doing the handball but if you put a positive slant on it, it was a bloody good stepping stone between your last job and the next opportunity…
If the new job suits you better and you cqn live on the wages go for it.
Trouble is doing what you are suggesting here sounds like its putting you back exactly where you were before you packed in the tippers, and you weren’t happy then.
I have left a very well paying job, i packed in one of the best paying car transporter companies (the job changed beyond all recognition) when i’d reached the end of my own line, and went on the agency just to get out, as have many others.
Fortunately having paid for the house and having no debts (don’t believe in loans unless absolutely unavoidable) i was in the position to do so, if i’d been mortgaged and loaned up to the eyes like some of my old mates then like them i’d still be there and like them hating every second.
It all depends on your own personal circumstances, can you afford to take the cut, can you afford to take another cut soon after that if this greener green doesn’t turn out to be quite so green once you get there.
There are no hard and fast rules to pay cuts or anything else we might have to take in order to invest in our own futures and our own well being, everyones circumstances are individual.
Yes without hesitation.
Sound advice so far gents, just to set the scene:
The hired truck myself and the other relief guy alternate on is now being driven by agency drivers, getting pee easy 10 pallet forklift runs to one location. Palletline type hauliers are doing the forklift drops, creating more space on our own fleet for the crappy upstairs downstairs handball drops. Just got a feeling employed drivers will eventually be phased out…
More like they cant get agency drivers to do the handball loads. My firm struggles for drivers on our trade dustcart rounds for the same reason. Infact ive just started covering one for three months as the driver is off for an operation. Got a rise plus lost half a stone this week with the bit of labour.
Good point - nothing like a bit of handball to keep the pounds off. 
I love my job and get paid fairly well for the hours I do.
The one thing that would make me leave for a pay cut would be to do abnormal loads. Not oversize but ■■■■ off massive things. I’d rather drive something massive 20 miles then drive 500 on a motorway. I like the theory aspect of manoeuvring large loads as opposed to the practical aspect of going in a straight line.
Mucky, have you done the calculation that is the only true comparison?
Divided your top line (not incl subsistence and exs) by the number of hours actually worked, thats the only way to really compare pay between jobs.
I don’t think that company will get rid of their own fleet drivers, some of them have been there 25 years as you know, old family firms like that don’t usually change but they can be strange places to work till you get used to them.
Course if you don’t want to handball any more then thats a different thing, but to have to be honest with yourself why you want to go.
My big problem since coming off the cars is my expanding girth, modern lorry jobs are a bit too easy sometimes.
For me health is of paramount importance, brought home to me at 3 a.m this morning as my partners grandmother just passed away, makes you wonder what life’s about sometimes. If i could move to a physically easier and stress free job with better hours, a weekend to myself and a wage that will cover my bills, then i would jump ship in a heartbeat, after being made redundant twice in two years, i have absolutely no loyalty to anyone anymore. At the age of 45 i have done handball work/valeting of one kind or another all my working life, so an easier trunking job would suit me fine.
I would certainly be worried about the state of my back carrying sacks of flour up and down stairs, as indeed the old boys did carrying sacks of coal back in the days of yore.
roadrunner:
I would certainly be worried about the state of my back carrying sacks of flour up and down stairs, as indeed the old boys did carrying sacks of coal back in the days of yore.
16kg bags now RR, not 1cwt as they once were and more.
Mind you i agree with you, i’m getting on a bit now (no sod it i aint telling ) and theress no ways my knees could stand it either, 20 years on the cars buggered my legs.