Morning chaps,
I am due for interview with the above firms soon, and wondered if anybody has recent(ish) experience of working for them? If so, any info about conditions, training, pay etc etc would be much appreciated before I jump from, frying pan to fire in ignorance. Currently with Manpower for a short spell, but not much coming through from them at the moment so looking to go back to direct employment, for good or ill…
My advice is to ask all those questions at the interview, do you have class 1 and live local then ?
Hello Bald Bloke, (me too)…
About to move to Bristol from West Sussex (new woman and love’s young dream and all that forces move). Currently class 2, but doing class 1 in 3 weeks time which Im hoping might open up the job scene a bit, albeit after a period struggling to find class 1 work being newly qualified I imagine.
As to asking questions at interview, of course I shall do that, but in my experience what is said by employers at interview sometimes turns out to be more wishful thinking than actuality so I was just wondering if any drivers had first hand experience of either firm which they would be prepared to share with me (or anyone else in my position).
Don’t really know anything about those companies but the Co Op are looking and they have been struggling to fill vacancies so might be worth a go, they’re run by Knobby Dressingtable.
Yeah, heard about the CO-OP, wonder if I show them my CO-OP card I might be in with a shout…thanks for reminding me, I’ll get onto them.
No probs always glad to help, Avonmouth is probably where there is the most work but generally Bristol has got quite a lot of work going on.
Yes, so it seems. I have been working around Gatwick area for the last 2 years, but that seems to have dried up almost completely for the time being and I like Bristol anyway, so with that, the work situation in general and the new and lovely woman in my life, it’s a bit of a no-brainer really!
Have worked for Warburtons trunking from a b akery in Castleford to places such as Bristol but through agency. To be honest Warburtons are good and seem to look after their staff. The class 2 stuff delivering to customers is a bit mental form an outside perspective. They’re on job and knock and always seem in a hurry. Need to know your product but never work many hours. Think they’re on about £27k.
Good luck.
Thanks for that, much appreciated!
I’ve worked for Warburtons’ at Bicester on class 2 via Driver Hire. They were spot on, some drivers tear arse about but you’re not expected to (many run around with 2 or 3 stacks when loading). You get used to products (eventually you pick your own orders and load it) and most shops that count the stock will count it while you load up empties and secure baskets and dollies (wheeled trollies before you worry about tying ye olde knots 
). Employed drivers have their own rounds while the agencies are used as run-outs. Run out really meaning if the rounds are too big or if a wagon breaks down you go out and transfer the load and you deliver it. Big orders for ASDA are rarely counted as the warehouse staff are too busy, but expect Co-Ops, Iceland (who have very little in my experience) etc to count their deliveries. You can be finished in around 8-10 hours (normally 4am start) but during the snow/panic buying I’ve worked 11 and 12 hour shifts.
Wagons range from new to about 10 years old, had a new Daf LF auto one day (lovely) to a clapped out 55 reg Eurocargo that rattled more than Savilles’ jewellery cabinet.
Sat navs are provided and they will scan tacho charts/digi cards everytime you sign out.
Just remember to make sure the frames that hold the baskets/dollies are secured before you move off 
pm sent
Ok, thanks to one and all for the advice and info, all of which is much appreciated.