A lot of you know I am campaigning to try and get DfT Minister to listen to us “The Drivers” (A lot signed the campaign)
Campaign “Enough” is “Enough” It has been running since July and most replies have been a waste of time. except Tom Brake MP, and Mike M replies, but I continue to hassle.
Last Week in CM “Stan Robinson” is getting a lobby of bosses together to talk to DfT. This Week Minister agree’s to talk to “SR” lobby.
Now the “SR” group is basically a splinter of bosses from the RHA, so what are they talking about, I am sure it will have nothing to do with help for the drivers.
But how come the Ministers jump when bosses want to talk yet ignore any request from the people who do the job and encounter most of the problems.
Makes my blood boil when I thought we were all supposed to be equal.
And this is your wonderful Labour government Baz - excuse me for being cynical, but I never did fall for that old line vote Labour and get the ear of the powerful for the workers.
Mal:
It does Baz, seems a bit of a waste of time trying to anything sometimes dont it?
Mal, I am a stubborn s*d and don;t give in easily.
I’m not political, and good luck to “SR” can’t blame him.
But the bosses and Companies are already represented by the RHA and FTA, why do they need another splinter group.
Their problems are money related and legislation.
Our problems are more diverse, and more in line with our work, ie parking, Facilities, MSA rip off’s
seems to me this sr lobby group is a way for mr robinson to get his road train legalised rha and fta av always been the boss,s union baz yes money talks and if ya have enough it shouts.
To my mind, the worst problem we have on the road is parking and general ameneties available when we need them after a hard day, but others would disagree, and Im certain there would be loads of stuff that bothers different drivers, and thats quite right we all will have a different view. A trunker or a local bloke wouldnt think the problems I cite are very important, a fellow tramper likely would!
There lies one of the main problems I think, theres so many different things on the boil it’s a stew, and unity of purpose, and of voice, is the only way to get things done. IMHO, but they are the very thing thats the hardest to achieve, unity!
My main bugbear as a local delivery driver is weight limits that aren’t in place to protect a weak structure…just to stop heavy traffic taking short cuts or just because the residents don’t like the noise.
I think there should be some sort of exemption permit for businesses operating HGVs on local work who meet certain criteria.
A few examples off the top of my head…
vehicles engaged in residential deliveries
vehicles within 50 miles of their operating centre
…that sort of thing.
20 minute detours to avoid 300 yards of 7.5t limit road and get yourself back on the main road, when you’ve just delivered one side of it after approaching from the other direction, are a pain in the arse. Often I find myself having to use even more unsuitable roads that don’t have limits, but have no houses on them.
It’s not only money, but Labour is afraid to talk to workforces in case it is branded by the press and going back to the days of beer and sandwiches at number 10. New Labour dreads being branded as Socialists.
Talking to business leaders looks really good, it makes it look like they understand and will do something. As we all know after the promises from the fuel protests of 2000, they promise loads of things like taxing foreign trucks to get the protesters off there backs, but then carry on regardless.
I get the impression that a lot of hauliers feel that the RHA and FTA are to interested in the PLC and Supermarkets who run large RDC’s aswell as haulage, so this might be why there is a bit of a splinter group.
“Enough” is “Enough” It has been running since July and most replies have been a waste of time. except Tom Brake MP, and Mike M replies, but I continue to hassle.
