It seems most of the larger companies have cut wages to me. I was made redundant a few weeks ago by a local European company. So I gave Aim logistics a bash. How I wish I hadn’t. They pay £100 per day but expect you to max your hours out for it. I left without working my notice. I still haven’t been paid and was told I’m also being deducted £250 from my wages. Today I spoke to ACAS and C.A.B about them and was told send them a letter requesting payment within 7 days. If nothing is paid by then they will start procedures against them…after all the messing about with working direct I decided to work through an agency who are paying £14 ph. Start at 15.00 till finish. Usually done by about 10pm but get paid till midnight. … think il stay here for a while till next year when I’ve decided it will be my last year of hgv. Think family has to come first and working throughout Europe for years think It’s time to hang my boots and gloves up
happysack:
selby newcomer:
The likes of Stobarts and ND ain’t helped, cutting the arse of each other just to get a contract and expecting people to work for low wages once they get itI don’t work for low wages. But I suppose you know best.
maxing out your hours for a decent wage does in no way justify it. Sorry.
That would be A.I.M. Logistics of Evesham? They were one of the reasons I was made redundant before Christmas. They undercut the company I was working for, with the Sun Valley contract in Hereford. As I understood it, they ( A.I.M.) had taken on a number of Eastern European drivers at the minimum wage and therefore my employer at the time was unable to compete with such a low tender for their existing contract. I’ve since seen some A.I.M. drivers at RDC’s and they always look absolutely knackered. 
Dieseldoforme:
.
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Agencies are to blame.They’re in a downhill race to see who can offer the lowest price for a Driver.
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Couldn’t agree more. There is a price the employer will pay them and a price the agency will pay you. The difference is the parasite’s rake-off. It isn’t rocket science. It is your money they are taking.
Unfortunately, the UK jobs market is mainly agency controlled and will continue to be so until demand outstrips supply - and God knows when that will be.
what about fuel costs?? my car costs me double in fuel to what it did a few years ago, so how a haulier can make a good profit now adays and pay good wages is beyond me…
dle1uk:
what about fuel costs?? my car costs me double in fuel to what it did a few years ago, so how a haulier can make a good profit now adays and pay good wages is beyond me…
In an ideal world his rates would reflect his costs.
Meanwhile, rates for the parasites seem to be improving. Unless they lie to their prospective consultants like they lie to their prospective drivers !
Location: Nottingham
Reference: NPS QSREC
Remuneration: £20.000.00 per annum rising to £23.000.00 per annum following a sucessful probationary period, OTE realistic £28.000.00 per annum. Bonus paid for out of hours work
Duration: Permanent - Immediate Start
Hours: 08:00 - 18:00 Monday - Friday plus additonal out of office hours on call 1 in 8 weekends
Closing date: 13th Sep 2013 (15 days)
Job Description
Due to our expanding client base and our push for a greater stance in the industry, We are seeking an experienced recruitment consultant to join our established team of consultants, You will have a proven background in recruitment sales and client retention, with the drive and ability to push sales and service to the next level ongoing support will be given from the management team as your sucess is our sucess.
Experience & Qualifications
Must have previous experience in direct recruitment sales and a proven track record in customer service and client retention, you will have a hands on approach to the recruitment process and be able to impliment new recruitment process’s
P.S. Note the poor standard of grammar & spelling.
I’m sorry to say it but things are gona stay like this for a v long time
Every thing in this industry now is based on cheapness, I don’t think loyalty or good service come into it anymore, I don’t buy it that agency’s are cutting rates to make bigger profits ill think your find there making a lot less money now than they did a few years ago they drop there rates otherwise there clients would go elsewhere agency’s are a bit like hauliers most of there pricing is identical to other agency’s they all no what each other is charging I think the low pay rates weather it be agency or full time employment are more to do with the economy as a whole and the fact that no matter what spin the government n the banks put on it where broke as a nation
It’s sad but true
As for driving for a living stuff will always need moving so there always be employment there but there might always be employment there doesn’t necacerily mean there be money there
I myself think driving a lorry should not command mega bucks but I do beleave it shud pay a good living wage which in this day and age should mean a minimum of 35 k a year for around 55 hours a week
stevieboy308:
Truckulent:
stevieboy308:
selby newcomer:
The likes of Stobarts and ND ain’t helped, cutting the arse of each other just to get a contract and expecting people to work for low wages once they get itJust like thousands of businesses in all different industries!
If they get the right amount of staff, of the right quality and with what they consider to be acceptable levels of staff turnover etc, then the wage is right surely?
For the profit margin, probably. Not necessarily for the workforce.
Just as the companies have undercut each other, so too have drivers, by accepting to work for lower and lower wages.
The effect of which has meant that drivers now face the prospect of minimum wage. Many seem quite happy to work for this sum.
The main issue is drivers don’t stick together. They probably never will again. A sad state of affairs.
But the point of business is to make a profit.
Are you telling me this never used to happen? Businesses are in competition with other businesses, with price being a key factor to compete on. Do you shop about at car insurance renewal time etc? Or is that different when it’s about saving you money?!! People can’t have it both ways. People are individuals, with their own set of circumstances and preferences, a good deal for one may be a bad deal for another, don’t we have the right to make our own minds up?
There’s a massive difference between someone working for minimum wage and someone who’s happy to do it. I’ve never heard of anyone to be happy about working for minimum wage.
Just what exactly do you mean by drivers sticking together? It’s a phrase thrown around here all the time, usually when a driver is coming across a bit - you lot are all a bit thick, I’ve got the answer, we should stick together. But I’ve never heard the full run down on what that entails. Are you going to pay a % of your good wage to allow someone to stay at home and not take a low paying job? What about a shelf stacker, are are you going to offer to pay them so don’t carry out their planned training and take a low paid job that would improve their life?
Please don’t mention train drivers!!
Question : What’s wrong with train drivers ?
ea1.earcu.com/gosh/jobs/vacancy … scription/
Experienced Staff Nurse - Kingfisher Ward (271-M-0187)
Per Annum£25,666 - £33,481
Staff Group:Nursing And Midwifery Registered
Directorate:Medicine
Pay Band:Band 5
Job (Contract) Type:Permanent
Working Pattern:37.5
Closing Date:3 September 2013
About the same as what a typical lorry driver earns a year…
Not @ 37.5 hrs a week he/she doesn’t.
daveb0789:
stevieboy308:
Truckulent:
stevieboy308:
selby newcomer:
The likes of Stobarts and ND ain’t helped, cutting the arse of each other just to get a contract and expecting people to work for low wages once they get itJust like thousands of businesses in all different industries!
If they get the right amount of staff, of the right quality and with what they consider to be acceptable levels of staff turnover etc, then the wage is right surely?
For the profit margin, probably. Not necessarily for the workforce.
Just as the companies have undercut each other, so too have drivers, by accepting to work for lower and lower wages.
The effect of which has meant that drivers now face the prospect of minimum wage. Many seem quite happy to work for this sum.
The main issue is drivers don’t stick together. They probably never will again. A sad state of affairs.
But the point of business is to make a profit.
Are you telling me this never used to happen? Businesses are in competition with other businesses, with price being a key factor to compete on. Do you shop about at car insurance renewal time etc? Or is that different when it’s about saving you money?!! People can’t have it both ways. People are individuals, with their own set of circumstances and preferences, a good deal for one may be a bad deal for another, don’t we have the right to make our own minds up?
There’s a massive difference between someone working for minimum wage and someone who’s happy to do it. I’ve never heard of anyone to be happy about working for minimum wage.
Just what exactly do you mean by drivers sticking together? It’s a phrase thrown around here all the time, usually when a driver is coming across a bit - you lot are all a bit thick, I’ve got the answer, we should stick together. But I’ve never heard the full run down on what that entails. Are you going to pay a % of your good wage to allow someone to stay at home and not take a low paying job? What about a shelf stacker, are are you going to offer to pay them so don’t carry out their planned training and take a low paid job that would improve their life?
Please don’t mention train drivers!!
Question : What’s wrong with train drivers ?
Nothing fella
Saaamon:
https://ea1.earcu.com/gosh/jobs/vacancy/1997/description/Experienced Staff Nurse - Kingfisher Ward (271-M-0187)
Per Annum£25,666 - £33,481
Staff Group:Nursing And Midwifery Registered
Directorate:Medicine
Pay Band:Band 5
Job (Contract) Type:Permanent
Working Pattern:37.5
Closing Date:3 September 2013About the same as what a typical lorry driver earns a year…
Quick, nip down the local nurse / midwifery school, hand over 2k and a week later the job is yours!!
but when she falls asleep at work she isn’t going to kill a dozen people with a out of control 44t truck ?
Saaamon:
https://ea1.earcu.com/gosh/jobs/vacancy/1997/description/Experienced Staff Nurse - Kingfisher Ward (271-M-0187)
Per Annum£25,666 - £33,481
Staff Group:Nursing And Midwifery Registered
Directorate:Medicine
Pay Band:Band 5
Job (Contract) Type:Permanent
Working Pattern:37.5
Closing Date:3 September 2013About the same as what a typical lorry driver earns a year…
4aaaa4dd:
but when she falls asleep at work she isn’t going to kill a dozen people with a out of control 44t truck ?
If she messes up their meds, fails to deal with an emergency such as someone falling out of bed or any other similar scenario she’s very liable to be accountable however.
I’m probably ■■■■■■■ in the wind here but I’m used to it by now…
Agencies aren’t the sole / biggest cause of a reduction in wages, not by a long shot. It’s more industry specific than a lot of guys realise and post about. Agencies thrive in sectors such as healthcare and engineering from a temporary perspective with much bigger margins than driving. Where most driving / industrial desks will operate around ~15-20% you’re probably looking nearer a ~25-35% margin minimum for Healthcare Assistants, Nurses and off-shore engineers, and I very much doubt the latter will be posting on a forum complaining about their rate of pay via agencies.
Yes, there are a ton of agencies. Yes, it’s an incredibly competitive market and does have an effect on wages. However, I haven’t seen many, if any, comments in this thread regarding location. I’m incredibly surprised to see drivers complaining of jobs being offered at minimum wage, as the lowest rate I’ve ever experienced is £7 for a 3.5t, scaling upwards dependent on class. Puddlejumpers are a bit hard done by imo, averaging between £7.50-£8, whilst C is around £9 and C+E £10 or better. From my experience of Essex and Kent, this seems very much the norm, although I have seen exceptions where firms offer something like an £80 day rate, which as said, can often mean it’s peanuts in contrast to the hours worked.
I have however seen alot of other threads (generally the North, excuse the stereotype) that complain of minimal wage structures on full time, and the influx of Eastern Europeans all over the country. It’s a very basic economic theory that ultimately, the equilibrium is somewhat nearer the lower end of the graph given there is more labour in supply at the bottom end of the wage demand than there is towards the upper. Sure, everyone wants more money, but then they can’t price themselves out of the market so they just become part of the large pool at the bottom.
You’re never going to convince drivers to ‘band together’ and force wages up which is why ultimately, unions wouldn’t make a blind bit of difference. In very small scales you might influence some companies at a local level, but the larger players are never going to suffer from the same pressures and if you push the wage cost too high for the smaller hauliers, they’re just going to go bust under the pressure of larger hauliers and cheaper rates. Supermarkets have always been way infront with wages and to my knowledge and the likes of Stobarts and Norberts actually pay healthy wages (although I did have a lot of drivers in Essex complain with regards to the main agency contract in Stobarts dropping £3-4 off their hourly). Whenever drivers have registered with me and had experience in any of the above, it was usually on a rate of £12-15 with weekends inclusive etc.
With reference to Chas’ post, the example you demonstrated sees a consultant starting their probation period on £8.50 with an increase to £9.80. Their OTE is based on their sales performance which you’d expect in every sales industry from recruitment to estate agency and telesales. It’s actually incredibly difficult to make really solid money to drive around in a flash motor which isn’t a perk of the job unless you’re performing.
As for agencies just being there to skim money from your rate - if you don’t like it, find yourself a job. If you’re just registered with agencies then chances are you haven’t been successful, so you’re effectively paying them for finding you the money to keep you on your feet. Either that or you suit the lifestyle that agencies provide and will have a much more difficult time in finding a firm that will cater to your needs of flexible working.
stevieboy308:
Quick, nip down the local nurse / midwifery school, hand over 2k and a week later the job is yours!!
Most qualified nurses have spent 3-4 years in uni and done placements in several different environments. 
FreddieSwan:
stevieboy308:
Quick, nip down the local nurse / midwifery school, hand over 2k and a week later the job is yours!!Most qualified nurses have spent 3-4 years in uni and done placements in several different environments.
Really
stevieboy308:
FreddieSwan:
stevieboy308:
Quick, nip down the local nurse / midwifery school, hand over 2k and a week later the job is yours!!Most qualified nurses have spent 3-4 years in uni and done placements in several different environments.
Really
Nurses qualified in other countries aren’t often recognised over here, so have to sit exams and qualifications before commencing work in the UK.
All nurses also have to remain registered with a PIN which is renewed something like every 3-5 years.
It’s not that different from midwives either given they have to do 3 years at uni inclusive of placements.
In short; yes, really.
Fuel prices have been so high for so long, that “racing to the bottom” in other areas of haulage overheads (ie wages) as become the “norm”.
Low fuel prices got us out of the recession of the early 90’s, that was brought on by negative equity when the housing bubble burst.
Lend lease spending got us out with WWII, with it’s “survival cannot be too expensive” system. Very much like today’s QE programme.
This time around? Persistently over the top fuel, war has been ruled out and there’s too many people not been killed in one.
Low interest rates have crushed private incomes to such an extent that the over 60’s are taking all the jobs, leaving nothing for young folk - even those with a degree. High interest rates won’t bring this to an end - only higher rates when unemployment has dropped below 1m… I reckon Carney has got his finger on the pulse here. He’s BoE Guvnor, and we ain’t, so let’s all stop criticising the way he drives eh?
It’s hard to see any kind of improvement to the “Oligarch Serfdom” we seem to still be sleepwalking into. A “Black Swan” (outsider chance of game-changing event occurring) is still the best bet I reckon. The ‘breakup of the EU’ would serve us best in that regard. 
FreddieSwan:
stevieboy308:
FreddieSwan:
stevieboy308:
Quick, nip down the local nurse / midwifery school, hand over 2k and a week later the job is yours!!Most qualified nurses have spent 3-4 years in uni and done placements in several different environments.
Really
Nurses qualified in other countries aren’t often recognised over here, so have to sit exams and qualifications before commencing work in the UK.
All nurses also have to remain registered with a PIN which is renewed something like every 3-5 years.
It’s not that different from midwives either given they have to do 3 years at uni inclusive of placements.
In short; yes, really.
sorry dude, I was meaning really, as in - really you thought I was being serious 