Just as a by the by, you guys can’t even begin to thought of as anything but a joke when your presenting stuff on facebook and your website when it looks like it was designed by a 12 year old in an IT class in 1997. (I should know, I was in one then…)
They claim they will look to change a few things like…
MSA prices-how exactly?,are they going to march in and demand that a private company reduces its prices?
Look to reduce to costs of Medicals-how exactly are you going to tell a doctor to reduce his price?
Union/unity call it what you want,it will never have the power to force these,amongst other issues through neither will they have any legal right to challenge anything.
You claim that doctors,nurses,police,tube workers,train drivers ect have better rights the thing that’s not being picked up on or willingly ignored is that these have a single employer that employs 1000s of people so they can go ahead and strike as one or fight for a single cause,where HGV drivers are different is that your dealing with a large number of different employers and drivers in differening contracts so to campaign to bring something in on a national scale for all HGV drivers is impossible because of the fact that the employees (HGV drivers) are not mass employed by a single employer like the services mentioned.
They only thing you could actively look to change is the whole CPC scenario whether it be the cost of it or its whole existence as that is controlled by the government/EU and it its applied to every driver nationally but first you’ll need 100k people looking to start a campaign before it will even reach the people it needs to ie government.
From the off this PDU thing has picked up in the little niggles of being a HGV driver and used them to promote itself with the promise of fighting to change them but in reality it’s petty little things like MSA prices and medical costs that we have to accept and live with not because we want to but because there is no legal route to challenge them.
A freind of my wife is a nurse she has to pay £27 a month to park at her place of work,she has to pay inflated prices in the staff restaurant if she doesn’t take her own food in…and HGV drivers moan about a £30-100 medical every 5 years…we ain’t as hard done to as some would like us to think
F-reds:
eezeer:
Teachers, doctors, nurses, fireman, police, train drivers, tube drivers, all have unity and get paid more than usWith one exception on that list, all those jobs are skilled jobs.
My wife is a teacher and it took her YEARS to get the basic skills/qualification to even be considered for an interview. She has since spent years working her way up the pay scales by attending various courses and carrying out CPD. She is a member of a profession.
Unfortunately an 18 year old with £2000 and a week to spare can have the appropriate ‘qualification’ to enter ‘our’ profession - HGV Driver. Within a few months he’ll have probably gained enough experience to be a good useful employee and will develop further over coming years.
The above is why my wife is paid more than some HGV drivers. The pay recognises what it took to get into that position and perhaps what it would take to replace her. I am not saying this is right but it is fact. Some drivers do demand good pay and T&Cs due to their professionalism that is acknowledged by their employers. Others I’m afraid deserve what they get from what I see out on the roads.
My wife is a member of a union for one reason only - support should she ■■■■ up or a child claims she ‘touched me here’. This happened to her a few years ago. A 5 year old boy who ■■■■ his pants in school told his mum my missus had ‘touched’ him whilst cleaning him up. The union stepped in, it all went away and new procedures (3 people have to witness the cleaning up now) were brought in. That is the only reason she is in a union and HATES them and particularly strikes etc
I agree in principal with the idea behind this unity. If all drivers stood up together maybe pay could increase in line with responsibility. I often hear drivers complaining about all the responsibilities but I think if we all act professionally and do our job properly then the responsibilities aren’t that great. Secure your load properly and it ain’t a worry. Obey all the drivers hours rules and they ain’t a problem. Obey the Highway Code and none of that is a problem. These things only become problems when a driver doesn’t do his job properly.
Let’s hope it does some good but I won’t hold my breath.
shep532:
F-reds:
eezeer:
Teachers, doctors, nurses, fireman, police, train drivers, tube drivers, all have unity and get paid more than usWith one exception on that list, all those jobs are skilled jobs.
My wife is a teacher and it took her YEARS to get the basic skills/qualification to even be considered for an interview. She has since spent years working her way up the pay scales by attending various courses and carrying out CPD. She is a member of a profession.
Unfortunately an 18 year old with £2000 and a week to spare can have the appropriate ‘qualification’ to enter ‘our’ profession - HGV Driver. Within a few months he’ll have probably gained enough experience to be a good useful employee and will develop further over coming years.
The above is why my wife is paid more than some HGV drivers. The pay recognises what it took to get into that position and perhaps what it would take to replace her. I am not saying this is right but it is fact. Some drivers do demand good pay and T&Cs due to their professionalism that is acknowledged by their employers. Others I’m afraid deserve what they get from what I see out on the roads.
My wife is a member of a union for one reason only - support should she [zb] up or a child claims she ‘touched me here’. This happened to her a few years ago. A 5 year old boy who [zb] his pants in school told his mum my missus had ‘touched’ him whilst cleaning him up. The union stepped in, it all went away and new procedures (3 people have to witness the cleaning up now) were brought in. That is the only reason she is in a union and HATES them and particularly strikes etc
I agree in principal with the idea behind this unity. If all drivers stood up together maybe pay could increase in line with responsibility. I often hear drivers complaining about all the responsibilities but I think if we all act professionally and do our job properly then the responsibilities aren’t that great. Secure your load properly and it ain’t a worry. Obey all the drivers hours rules and they ain’t a problem. Obey the Highway Code and none of that is a problem. These things only become problems when a driver doesn’t do his job properly.
Let’s hope it does some good but I won’t hold my breath.
I am never going to claim we have the same degree of training as Teachers or other professions and they deserve to be treated correctly.
All I want is a little bit of respect for doing a hard days work.
Yes also to be seen as professional which is only possible when we have a unity as one professional body.
It can only do “some” good if more get behind it and give it a chance.
At least someone is “trying”
We all know if we do nothing then nothing will ever change, the DCPC as we all said it is a money making scheme and no benefit but accepted it without a whimper. Mainly because everyone did it and there was no one to protest it.
If the powers that be suddenly said that all UK Truckers will only be paid £7 an hour, how could we challenge it as a profession? without someone to speak up for us. yes some would walk and others would look elsewhere but the majority would like the CPC be forced to accept it.
No one knows what is round the next corner and united we have a voice, but divided we cannot challenge anything.
It is simply time we did have a way to challenge things and that can only be done with some form of unity.
It is up to you
Thanks enjoyed the discussion but time to leave you to dwell on it and make up your own minds. I am in and joined and “hope” something can be done.
eezeer:
If the powers that be suddenly said that all UK Truckers will only be paid £7 an hour, how could we challenge it as a profession? without someone to speak up for us. yes some would walk and others would look elsewhere but the majority would like the CPC be forced to accept it.No one knows what is round the next corner and united we have a voice, but divided we cannot challenge anything.
It is simply time we did have a way to challenge things and that can only be done with some form of unity.
It is up to you
Thanks enjoyed the discussion but time to leave you to dwell on it and make up your own minds. I am in and joined and “hope” something can be done.
This statement is laughable, and ill thought out. How can the “powers that be” decide that me and Themoocher are suddenly only worth £7 an hour? We work for separate companies, operating in different sectors of an industry in different parts of the country.
The only power who can decide my worth, is my boss, and it’s up to me to decide whether his valuation of my time and effort is correct or not.
If you want to help the public perception of your members, can I suggest a bath for them, their trucks, and to throw out their rubbish in a bin rather than out the window. Oh and generally be a bit more affable, and forgiving, both on the road and in person? (All of that, would cost zero pounds per year, just effort)
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out…
I have neither met or know Barrie Tozer, I do not know eezer either, but what I can not understand is why is there so much disproportionate hostility towards these guys.
Those of you who are happy with your lot, you work for good firms, have good conditions, I say good luck to you… seriously!
I have been there myself so I know exactly where you are coming from, why would you want to rock the boat by joining less fortunate others, dead right.
So if you want nothing to do with any form of solidarity I can see why, but WHY slag those off that are maybe not so lucky so are looking to (however naively it may be) TRY and change things? 
If you think it’s a rip off, …again why chuck childish inane insults around to those that are going to take a punt at it.
I freely admit despite what I said previous, I have not got around to joining yet, but 20 quid aint going to break me and is easily funded by a couple of dodgy parking tickets, or whatever so wtf? I’ll give it a whirl.
In my case I wouldn’t say I was happy with my firm/job, more like content. I’m at the time now where I just get on with it and keep my head down,
However if there is something I aint happy with I don’t ■■■■ about, I DO stand up and tell them, and there has been times when solidarity would have been most welcome and helpful, so bearing that in mind, bring it on I say.
As somebody said, what is so wrong with expecting respect whilst going about your job, or do some of you think the lack of respect is acceptable.
So the upshot is if you aint interested ignore it, if you are …have a punt at it.
if that makes me ‘‘thick/hard of thinking/gullible’’ and all the rest of it I reckon I can live with it and my minus 20 quid.
Btw I take F.reds point about some not helping themselves and being responsible for their own destiny, and bringing the rest of us down there eith them…those guys are BEYOND help, Union or otherwise. 
So there you have it.
The choice is yours, do you join a ‘unity’ and help strengthen the PDU’s voice. One man can make a difference especially with enough support behind him, large oak trees grow from little acorns. Better facilities, pay, treatment is all very worthy and I cant disagree with fighting for that.
Or the more cynical approach seeing £25 as a bit suspicious for a start up unity. Oh and no refunds if Barrie should get bored.
Are we conditioned just to accept our lot in life, are we the downtrodden masses who sit idly by and watch our country turn to crap. Is it time to stand up and say weve had enough, political correctness be damned, brothers and sisters rise up with me and take our country back from those who seek to destroy it. We will not go quietly into the darkness we must fight for land, liberty and the freedoms we take for granted that others seek to crush.
Anyway let me know how you get on im going for a curry.
Dipper_Dave:
So there you have it.
The choice is yours, do you join a ‘unity’ and help strengthen the PDU’s voice. One man can make a difference especially with enough support behind him, large oak trees grow from little acorns. Better facilities, pay, treatment is all very worthy and I cant disagree with fighting for that.Or the more cynical approach seeing £25 as a bit suspicious for a start up unity. Oh and no refunds if Barrie should get bored.
Are we conditioned just to accept our lot in life, are we the downtrodden masses who sit idly by and watch our country turn to crap. Is it time to stand up and say weve had enough, political correctness be damned, brothers and sisters rise up with me and take our country back from those who seek to destroy it. We will not go quietly into the darkness we must fight for land, liberty and the freedoms we take for granted that others seek to crush.
Anyway let me know how you get on im going for a curry.
Because we know that the unwashed masses won’t do anything unless it starts hitting them in the pocket.
Is apathy the war cry of todays driver.
what do we want
more money
when do we want it
not bothered
But what about those of us who love trucks and the open road and dont just do it for the money. Who can help me with the real issues I face on a daily basis, cyclists, poor wifi reception, buggers who dont indicate on roundabouts, dodgy auto transmissions, nissan micras doing 45 on dual carriageways, needing a ■■■ the moment im no where near a toilet.
Dipper_Dave:
what do we want
more money
when do we want it
not bothered
What do we want
Time Travel
When do we want it
Doesn’t matter
eezeer:
shep532:
F-reds:
eezeer:
Teachers, doctors, nurses, fireman, police, train drivers, tube drivers, all have unity and get paid more than usWith one exception on that list, all those jobs are skilled jobs.
My wife is a teacher and it took her YEARS to get the basic skills/qualification to even be considered for an interview. She has since spent years working her way up the pay scales by attending various courses and carrying out CPD. She is a member of a profession.
Unfortunately an 18 year old with £2000 and a week to spare can have the appropriate ‘qualification’ to enter ‘our’ profession - HGV Driver. Within a few months he’ll have probably gained enough experience to be a good useful employee and will develop further over coming years.
The above is why my wife is paid more than some HGV drivers. The pay recognises what it took to get into that position and perhaps what it would take to replace her. I am not saying this is right but it is fact. Some drivers do demand good pay and T&Cs due to their professionalism that is acknowledged by their employers. Others I’m afraid deserve what they get from what I see out on the roads.
My wife is a member of a union for one reason only - support should she [zb] up or a child claims she ‘touched me here’. This happened to her a few years ago. A 5 year old boy who [zb] his pants in school told his mum my missus had ‘touched’ him whilst cleaning him up. The union stepped in, it all went away and new procedures (3 people have to witness the cleaning up now) were brought in. That is the only reason she is in a union and HATES them and particularly strikes etc
I agree in principal with the idea behind this unity. If all drivers stood up together maybe pay could increase in line with responsibility. I often hear drivers complaining about all the responsibilities but I think if we all act professionally and do our job properly then the responsibilities aren’t that great. Secure your load properly and it ain’t a worry. Obey all the drivers hours rules and they ain’t a problem. Obey the Highway Code and none of that is a problem. These things only become problems when a driver doesn’t do his job properly.
Let’s hope it does some good but I won’t hold my breath.
I am never going to claim we have the same degree of training as Teachers or other professions and they deserve to be treated correctly.
All I want is a little bit of respect for doing a hard days work.
Yes also to be seen as professional which is only possible when we have a unity as one professional body.It can only do “some” good if more get behind it and give it a chance.
At least someone is “trying”
We all know if we do nothing then nothing will ever change, the DCPC as we all said it is a money making scheme and no benefit but accepted it without a whimper. Mainly because everyone did it and there was no one to protest it.
If the powers that be suddenly said that all UK Truckers will only be paid £7 an hour, how could we challenge it as a profession? without someone to speak up for us. yes some would walk and others would look elsewhere but the majority would like the CPC be forced to accept it.
No one knows what is round the next corner and united we have a voice, but divided we cannot challenge anything.
It is simply time we did have a way to challenge things and that can only be done with some form of unity.
It is up to you
Thanks enjoyed the discussion but time to leave you to dwell on it and make up your own minds. I am in and joined and “hope” something can be done.
+1
I agree with you. Your opinion is valid for many countries, I dare say is valid for whole of Europe and US.
Dipper_Dave:
Is apathy the war cry of todays driver.
what do we want
more money
when do we want it
not botheredBut what about those of us who love trucks and the open road and dont just do it for the money. Who can help me with the real issues I face on a daily basis, cyclists, poor wifi reception, buggers who dont indicate on roundabouts, dodgy auto transmissions, nissan micras doing 45 on dual carriageways, needing a ■■■ the moment im no where near a toilet.
Why does it have to be an either/or situation Dave?
I remember the days long ago, young and naive , when I loved trucks also, and around the same time taking inflation, comparison of value for money and all the rest of it into account, I was on better money than today.
Just because you ‘love trucks’ does that mean you should settle for second class t.s and c.s. ?
Please don’t tell me you are one of the mob that trade ■■■■■■ lightbars and spotlamps for wages are you , as I may decide not to like you as much as I did on here. 
I am all for unity and standing up to be counted, along with and along side my fellow drivers.
Problem is though, there are legions of flip flops who will do our job for less than us, so we are somewhat undermined in that respect.
eagerbeaver:
I am all for unity and standing up to be counted, along with and along side my fellow drivers.Problem is though, there are legions of flip flops who will do our job for less than us, so we are somewhat undermined in that respect.
Legions? maybe a gross exaggeration there mate, as well as a cliche.
Ten years or so ago, I would have agreed with you when the first ones came over, about doing the job for less money, but is that REALLY the case now though?
Most East European workers are in jobs the Brits refuse to do but would rather collect benefits, crap jobs like veg pickers or in fish factories and the like.
As for Transport, I can only comment on what I know.
There are about a dozen or more Poles at our main depot, a cross section, as with the Brits, some good, some not so good, and a couple of complete wonkers, however they, including the Brits, are all on the same pay structure and hourly rate. 
I’m not a politic man or failed politician nor a graduate with a super degree driving trucks.
I’m a working guy that says what I see with my own eyes.
I was brought up as a kid with strong Union working class families.
all the strong ■■■■■■■■■ work force unions aren’t worth nothing no more.
All the southerners and Torries destroyed them in the 80s.
It’s like trying to re invent the wheel.
Everyone was all for maggies get off your arse and be a yuppie like Richard Branson.
You will never get a national trucker Union to work.
I’m all for a strong Union for back up.
But to have any strength it will have to be a regional or workforce.
It’s like trying to get all Welders or Scaffolders to make a national Union it’s mental.
Also reading we have only got our selfs to blame.
If there was a driver shortage wages would rise as they would need bumbs on seats.
As long as way stay in the Euro there will never be a driver shortage.
Every yard I go into warehouse staff, drivers or anything else is I would say 50% none British work force.
Now I’m not a facist or racist or BNP loyalist.
I say what I see and wages will never rise as long as you have an unlimited supply of cheap labour from the EE.
robroy:
eagerbeaver:
I am all for unity and standing up to be counted, along with and along side my fellow drivers.Problem is though, there are legions of flip flops who will do our job for less than us, so we are somewhat undermined in that respect.
Legions? maybe a gross exaggeration there mate, as well as a cliche.
Ten years or so ago, I would have agreed with you when the first ones came over, about doing the job for less money, but is that REALLY the case now though?
Most East European workers are in jobs the Brits refuse to do but would rather collect benefits, crap jobs like veg pickers or in fish factories and the like.
As for Transport, I can only comment on what I know.
There are about a dozen or more Poles at our main depot, a cross section, as with the Brits, some good, some not so good, and a couple of complete wonkers, however they, including the Brits, are all on the same pay structure and hourly rate.
Robroy what do you actually do for driving?
How can you not see what I can see everyday when I used to be in and out the docks or every trailer I tip in warehouses or yards is full of EE.
Some yards I go in say your about the first English guy iv had all week.
That’s fair size distribution yards.
eezeer:
The RHA are respected by the Industry and are a good starting point if the PDU wants to voice drivers issues to the Industry.
The RHA is an association that was formed to represent the interests of those running haulage companies, not those working for haulage companies.
Question. Does Barry have trouble coming up with his own names for things? He forms a union called Unity when the UNITE union already exists and forms a campaign group called PDU-UK when PDA-UK already exists. If I were cynical I’d be thinking its because he wanted to take advantage of people confusing the two. Maybe that is why the RHA agreed to a meeting, they think they’re talking to the PDA!
eezeer:
We all know if we do nothing then nothing will ever change, the DCPC as we all said it is a money making scheme and no benefit but accepted it without a whimper. Mainly because everyone did it and there was no one to protest it.
We didn’t accept it without a whisper. The UK government fought against it and we are one of the last countries in the EU to introduce it - even the French implemented it before we did. Because the government didn’t want it but was forced to implement it they implemented something which is about as close to not bothering with one as its possible to be whilst still being seen to comply with EU directives. My own personal opinion of the DCPC is that its sorely needed and should be a proper course with pass/fail exams. Maybe then we’d get the professional standards in the job people like you claim exist and get the respect from the public you think we deserve which due to the number of tossers behind the wheel we frankly rightly don’t at the moment. But Barry Tozer isn’t interested in that. He’s more interested in getting rid of the DCPC and having no training at all so we continue to have knuckle draggers behind the wheel incapable of doing the basics properly.
When I was at Stobart’s Rob, on one occasion I had to switch trailers at the Rugby depot. Whilst stood at the counter waiting for a planner to notice I was there, I looked down and noticed a list of drivers sellotape’d on said counter.
The list was drivers who needed to sign something or other off. Out of the 45 or so names, there were a max of around 6 who were British. Appleton depot is going the same way, during the 5 months I was there, quite a few EE’s got a start.
The place I work now is a well known gaff. Full of EE’s. One English lad has come over from Jack Richards because he said he felt in a minority there, but he reckons its no better at this place.
Trust me Rob, we will see many more, and they are all happy as Larry at £9 per hour. A Polish lad I worked with at P&H went over to Poland to do his class 1, and it cost peanuts! Trust me Rob, there will be many more coming.
This leaves £15000 equating to a lower wage than most and also me taking a cut in wages by around £10,000 to represent you.
No one is getting rich from the PDU-UK
This is the bit I can’t see past,no one would drop £10k a year from their income without some sort of agenda which leads to them getting their money back over time,and also throw in a grand to start with…maybe it’s just my suspicious mind.
Union or Unity?
some seem confused or not read the info
I personelly would never join a “union” as I think they are just a bunch or upper class who do nothing to speak up for drivers, and possibly have no idea what goes on in the real world of trucking.
However I have joined this “unity” which is being run by drivers working together, who know what is wrong and wants to see a difference.
It is UNITY which is working together, and not a UNION run by someone in a office that knows sod all.
Many mention the problem of EU Drivers taking up our Jobs.
Well I think the PDU have a UK at the end and so if enough join then maybe we can ask it tackle those issues, and maybe protect some of our jobs somehow.
If we do not speak as one and protect our jobs then the EEs will continue to take them over.
So some of you slagging the PDU do have an issue and it is the job security