Our companies’ most awkward shovel driver jacked yesterday, and several of our drivers have said I should put in for the job as I used to do it, and know how to load properly) It’s on a modern Volvo, but due for renewal, the quarry has a minimum life of 15 years but indefinate once the muck washing plant is built. Hourly rate slightly higher, no bonuses (not a big worry there) and it’s where I travel to work now to gdt the lorry.
Against the pros are that I may be going on an 8wheeler if someone retires, firm may also train me for class1 to takeover Dads’ job when he retires in 2 years. I’m worried that if everyone jacks who says they will when DCPC is active in 2014, I’d miss out on any wage increase.
Opinions please; Would you take it?
You could take it and say you’d like to work on the road but to ‘help them out’ you can drive onsite. They would probably be more appreciative to you to assist at at time like this, where they can have more breathing room to get someone permanent or even for the two years until your Dad retires…
I would, if I had the skills/licence, in such a situation but I would impress that it was a temporary thing…
Assuming the pay is on a par with what you would otherwise earn, and you enjoy doing it as much as you do being out and about, then yes i would go for it, but only if it really suited me.
Good idea about doing it to help them out, keep your options open, brownie points too so might be more inclined to train you for class 1 in due course.
I imagine it could get boring after a while, but you’ve already done it.
As for those who reckon they’ll jack in when DCPC comes in, i doubt that very much, all wind and p.
When redundancies became reality at my old place, those who had spent years telling all and sundry they were desperate to go suddenly were gobbing off desperate to keep their jobs, bloody serious money going too, one lad walked out with £10k after only 9 months on the job, kerching.
Saratoga:
You could take it and say you’d like to work on the road but to ‘help them out’ you can drive onsite. They would probably be more appreciative to you to assist at at time like this, where they can have more breathing room to get someone permanent or even for the two years until your Dad retires…I would, if I had the skills/licence, in such a situation but I would impress that it was a temporary thing…
The idea originally was that I was going to have an old motor at the quarry that I’d drive in an emergency, doing locals but that never happened. My instinct at the moment is to stay put even though the job is tempting. I’ve seen the other operators doing things and thought “I’d do…” but something tells me to stick with lorries.
NathanB:
Our companies’ most awkward shovel driver jacked yesterday, and several of our drivers have said I should put in for the job as I used to do it, and know how to load properly) It’s on a modern Volvo, but due for renewal, the quarry has a minimum life of 15 years but indefinate once the muck washing plant is built. Hourly rate slightly higher, no bonuses (not a big worry there) and it’s where I travel to work now to gdt the lorry.
Against the pros are that I may be going on an 8wheeler if someone retires, firm may also train me for class1 to takeover Dads’ job when he retires in 2 years. I’m worried that if everyone jacks who says they will when DCPC is active in 2014, I’d miss out on any wage increase.
Opinions please; Would you take it?
IMO take the job as a good shovel driver will always be in demand & I assume that you are/will be certificated up to prove that you are competent to another company ?
No tacho/digi card.
No spy in the cab.
Much easier life.
Etc Etc
I am qualified although would need to do EPIC course for plant ops again. Already got NVQs for construction plant; That helped me get the shovel drivers job years ago over some old hands as the firm wanted someone with NVQs…probably to tell other Quarry companies on the golf c sorry, seminars. 
NathanB:
I am qualified although would need to do EPIC course for plant ops again. Already got NVQs for construction plant; That helped me get the shovel drivers job years ago over some old hands as the firm wanted someone with NVQs…probably to tell other Quarry companies on the golf c sorry, seminars.
Go for it Nathan, the driving job will still be there if you get fed up with the shovel. You can also bollox up the bonus payments for all those drivers who have wound you up !!! 
Regards Kev.
Only you can decide but I’d stick with driving trucks. I’ve got a shovel ticket and occasionally cover for a bit but stuck in the yard does my head in.
NathanB:
Our companies’ most awkward shovel driver jacked yesterday, and several of our drivers have said I should put in for the job as I used to do it, and know how to load properly) It’s on a modern Volvo, but due for renewal, the quarry has a minimum life of 15 years but indefinate once the muck washing plant is built. Hourly rate slightly higher, no bonuses (not a big worry there) and it’s where I travel to work now to gdt the lorry.
Against the pros are that I may be going on an 8wheeler if someone retires, firm may also train me for class1 to takeover Dads’ job when he retires in 2 years. I’m worried that if everyone jacks who says they will when DCPC is active in 2014, I’d miss out on any wage increase.
Opinions please; Would you take it?
Look at it this way.
If you were to take the job on offer:
Know the job +
New mech shovel +
Relative job security +
Higher rate of pay +
Travel -/+
No tacho +
No WTD/Drivers hours +
No sitting waiting to be tipped +
etc, etc.
And still a chance of class 1 +
If you don’t take the job on offer:
Chance of bigger truck -/+
Chance of Class 1 +
I take it if I did do it, any training could go toward DCPC if it trainer was registered in this?
If you’re asking that question of me Nathan…I have to be honest and say I don’t know. However a quick web inquiry brought this up which could be applied to a Shovel Driver…
*Handling equipment for loading and unloading vehicles
*Procedures for loading a vehicle with due regard for the safety of persons coming into contact with the vehicle or its load
*Distribution of vehicle loads; calaculation of axle weights; consequences of overloading; penalties; fines and prohibitions
So I would take it that the answer to your question would be yes. I’m sure tho’… that there are those on the forum better qualified to give a more definite answer. Either way… good luck with your decision.
NathanB:
Our companies’ most awkward shovel driver jacked yesterday, and several of our drivers have said I should put in for the job as I used to do it, and know how to load properly) It’s on a modern Volvo, but due for renewal, the quarry has a minimum life of 15 years but indefinate once the muck washing plant is built. Hourly rate slightly higher, no bonuses (not a big worry there) and it’s where I travel to work now to gdt the lorry.
Against the pros are that I may be going on an 8wheeler if someone retires, firm may also train me for class1 to takeover Dads’ job when he retires in 2 years. I’m worried that if everyone jacks who says they will when DCPC is active in 2014, I’d miss out on any wage increase.
Opinions please; Would you take it?
Highly unlikely is my opinion! Seriously.
Whichever decision I take’ll more than likely be the wrong one; If I did take the job, it’d be my luck they’d sell the quarry to Hanson or some equally ■■■■ firm to work for.
As it stands, I’m taking it once they sort out whether the relief man gets his machine back at our stonepit down the road.
More money per hour plus time and a half after 8hours. Firm’s still putting me through dcpc so I can do relief work if needed.
Good luck mate.
M G B:
Good luck mate.
Cheers, not sure when it’s happening yet; Be sad to come off the road but with a 1 year old son and wife working part time I’d rather have a guaranteed wage instead of “might earn”. Loads of work on but bonuses don’t seem to reflect this.
You can only post on shovelnetuk if you take it!
Happydaze:
You can only post on shovelnetuk if you take it!
With subjects like “Why do Cat drivers get treated better than Liebherr drivers?”
The old time section “Wetherill Memories” and “Were Priestman better than Ruston Bucyrus?”
NathanB:
Cheers, not sure when it’s happening yet; Be sad to come off the road but with a 1 year old son and wife working part time I’d rather have a guaranteed wage instead of “might earn”. Loads of work on but bonuses don’t seem to reflect this.
Bloody good reasons for taking the job Nathan. Best of luck. 
NathanB:
Happydaze:
You can only post on shovelnetuk if you take it!With subjects like “Why do Cat drivers get treated better than Liebherr drivers?”
The old time section “Wetherill Memories” and “Were Priestman better than Ruston Bucyrus?”
The very same! “What’s the biggest hill you’ve ever created?” exclusive Volvo vs Komatsu shootouts, “know your aggregates” sections, the possibilities are endless!