Evil8Beezle:
wirksworth rod:
come on rob get of that fence and tell him what you relly think
happy new year
He’s clearly hurt by recent comments and turning into a bit of a ■■■■■!
You don’t know the half of it
robroy:
Yeh cheers Rod, Happy new year to you as well mate.
It’s just Conor coming on here talking down to everybody …as usual, trying to convince us of his utopian ideas of working for an agency, which tends to get on my ■■■■ a bit.
As I said he has a good number, and it suits him, same as full time employment suits us.
The industry is in a mess in terms of conditions, driver’s welfare and all the rest of it.
In my opinion agencies are partly to blame for a lot of the [zb] in the job, because of the power they have over drivers… that they did not initially have, but developed over the years since they got off the ground in the 80s.Full time employment is not perfect by any means, but neither is agency employment, despite Conor’s efforts to convince us so.
It is all about what suits each individual that is what I was getting at.
The trouble is now Conor is up there on his moral high ground, he’s ruffled a load of feathers and he won’t have the balls to say sorry to any of the op’s he’s offended co’s he’s always right
I’ve worked for agencies in warehouses in the past but never as a driver.The money was always crap,used to get messed about with shifts left right and centre and got given the duties the full timers never would/wanted to do.
Since becoming a driver i’ve had three jobs and all have been full time employed roles.Personally it suits me better knowing there is a guaranteed wage coming in every week and that i’m working Mon to Fri with every weekend off.
Just because my experience of agencies wasn’t good doesn’t mean the next persons wasn’t.To me it’s what suits an individuals needs the best.Plain and simple.
Winseer:
wheelyb:
Cheers winseer, I’m a grafter and try to get as many hours as poss, but when the company is holding you back, the end weekly pay is disheartening.Can I sign up to more than one agency as paye?
If so, how would I keep them both happy with accepting work? If they both need me for that day or week?What area are you looking for agencies to give you work in?
Around my way, there’s very little work in the town where I live. 10 miles further afield though, finds me at Dartford, Sittingbourne, or Maidstone (No “north” 'cos that’s Grain, which is now wound down from the BP days)
If you’re prepared to commute 10 miles on a regular basis - that’ll open up a lot of possibilities for you, assuming you’re not actually in the middle of nowhere…
There’s no rule about signing up with multiple agencies - I signed up with 9 altogether. I got bitty work from 4 of them, none at all from 4 of them, and then regular work from the 9th I signed up with - SMS based in Aylesford, with work at the local aylesford depots, and Mail couriers a bit further afield as well. If I said that over the past Christmas periods 2011-2014 that I spent with SMS - They put me into Yodel, Fedex Tunbridge Wells, Royal Mail, and Fedex Sittingbourne respectively at this time of the year. I was also doing a lot of odd shifts at Brakes Aylesford as well, which is where I’ve now taken a full time job.
Extrastaff gave me shifts at Morrisons, and offered me Lehnam Storage which I declined (bad experience there from years ago) and Pallet work which I don’t think much of either. Work there quickly petered out after I’d turned down a few shifts needless to say.
Rapier had me working around London Boots deliveries out of Surrey Quays depot, but ripped me off with a different pay rate actually paid to what was agreed verbally. I had no comeback of course, as I didn’t have the rates per each job actually in writing. Lesson learned.
Manpower offered me a couple of shifts in Oxford street, but I declined on the basis I was only there for Royal Mail work. I never heard from them again.
I think that might have been because RM closed the door firmly behind me when I left there in 2010 with a redundancy package.
Blue Arrow put me into Langdons, Dover for odd shifts, and also used to give me week blocks of work at places that DHL were running. I also got a week at Whirlpool washing machines, right next door to where I work now. The work wasn’t regular enough for me to profit from it though, but at least my income crashed so much working here that I ended up qualifying for tax credits…
The other four blighters never gave me a single shift, like Manpower. “Agency Driver Network” had me sign up, and then told me after I’d jumped through all the hoops that “We only do Umbrella”. I insisted upon PAYE, and heard from them just the once: An offer of a shift @ Iceland Harlow… I asked for an email comfirming the hourly rate as PAYE - and I never heard form them again. A similar story occured with “The Recruit Group” - Yeh. What a load of umbrella fiddle ■■■■■■■■ THAT one turned out to be as well! They DID offer a PAYE option, but it was at a lower hourly rate than the headline rate aleady slightly lower than other agencies were offering (£9.50ph to the £10ph of others), thus actually representing working for less in real terms. PLENTY of work there though of course - since what you lose is compounded by this backdoor “lower paye rate” that many don’t realize until it’s too late.
Driver Hire wanted me to sign up for umbrella as well - I walked away.
Delta Driver - wanted me to give THEM some cash up front for “training” WTF? If I’m not qualified with my clean licence of near 25 years standing - then I’m not qualified ever.
I think they wanted me to pay to put myself through a HIAB and MOFFET course, for which I was promised “unlimited amounts of shifts once qualified”.Shame they couldn’t just offer me a full time job that would train me up if I was interested…
I would be wary of ANY agency that expects the money to flow the wrong way at any point…
I live in Wigan, currently commuting to Warrington 35mins away. Most agencies seem to want drivers for Warrington area, Hermes in omega park in particular.
Wincanton seem to pop up at times and seem to be doing well but haven’t spoken to a driver yet. Buffaload are close to me but not sure what they’re like as they are based in Arrow yard.
well heres my worth …ive been driving hgvs since 2003 so in big scheme of things long enough but i know theres lads that have done more miles in reverse than I have going forward but i can hold my own and definatley know what i am doing …from 2003 to jan this year i was full time… with my employers been sita waste… coop milk then coop frozen logistics then langdons then stobarts on general then on to stobart biomass all full time from 2008 to jan this year tramping…im 39 years of age mortgage 2 cars 1 a bmw 11 plate paid for 2nd a pug 3008 on 60 plate paid for but about to change the 3008 for another but some of that will be on hp so ive got outgoings like most …now from jan this year i went down ltd route accountant flat rate vat …now heres my thoughts on agency I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AS I HAVE A AGENCY THAT DONT ■■■■ ME ABOUT thats the key and I HAVE ANOTHER AGENCY THAT DONT ■■■■ ME ABOUT that i use for 2 sats a month and are always asking me to go over to em or if im in the ■■■■ no work bell em…im on a decent rate as well £12.50 a hour days …but i know lads that have been ■■■■■■ about through ■■■■ agencies…
now the reason i went ltd driver route was because on stobart biomass my average take home was £600 to £630 a week in the bank…my son is autistic and it was getting to much for my wife on her own it was taking its toll on her and my other son …so it was time for me to come off tramping…the rates for straight day drivers on paye was a joke so i decided to go ltd as long as i took £550 a week…well im taking a more so all good but it was never about the money for me…but on another hand i wasnt gona be taken the ■■■■ out of either…
BUT FOR 3 MONTHS AFTER JACKING I WAS ■■■■■■■■ IT AND ID ADMIT COUPLE OF SLEEPLESS NIGHTS THINKING WHAT HAVE I DONE JACKING FULL TIME JOB
but now just go with the flow cause the work is out there youve just got to ring around
agency wont work for some will work for some
but what I will say first sign of me ■■■■■■■ things up for my family ill go back to paye
robroy:
Yeh cheers Rod, Happy new year to you as well mate.
It’s just Conor coming on here talking down to everybody …as usual
As I said he has a good number, and it suits him, same as full time employment suits us.
The industry is in a mess in terms of conditions, driver’s welfare and all the rest of it.
In my opinion agencies are partly to blame for a lot of the [zb] in the job, because of the power they have over drivers… that they did not initially have, but developed over the years since they got off the ground in the 80s.Full time employment is not perfect by any means, but neither is agency employment, despite Conor’s efforts to convince us so.
It is all about what suits each individual that is what I was getting at.
Spot on! Yes there are highly employable drivers mixed with unemployable drivers in agency work but you could say the same thing about full time drivers. Either way there will be good and bad but we all make choices depending on our own personal circumstances. There is no right or wrong answer regarding the full time v agency argument. We are doing exactly the same job either way so it really does come down to a lifestyle choice, not attitude or skillset.
I’ve always wondered why there’s this misconception that agency drivers are somehow "11 points on licence, aged nnnnnineteen, and don’t speak English.
That’s surely the minority… Everyone else is a former full-timer Brit “in between jobs”…? 
At this time of the year the best thing out of starting full time right now is…
JANUARY!
robroy:
It is all about what suits each individual that is what I was getting at.
That one sentence sums up the entire argument.
Ken.
…and that brings us to the perennial question ‘will the slowdown happen this year?’
as to the profile of agency drivers I’m an aged, ex peasant trying to recover my finances after a divorce and build a new business
no points since 2002 but then I haven’t been through ■■■■■■■ Aylesbury since 2005
Son is a 30yr old part time peasant with no points
His mate is a 29yr old ex machinery workshop manager with no points
Their pal is a 32yr old ex peasant.
I reckon that a large percentage of the new generation drivers will come from Ag as that industry is on its knees in a way that makes haulage look positively booming. If I was a haulage boss I would be looking for my new drivers through the Agricultural press and training them up, the vast majority already have the attitude, work ethic and much of the skillset.
scanny77:
robroy:
Yeh cheers Rod, Happy new year to you as well mate.
It’s just Conor coming on here talking down to everybody …as usual
As I said he has a good number, and it suits him, same as full time employment suits us.
The industry is in a mess in terms of conditions, driver’s welfare and all the rest of it.
In my opinion agencies are partly to blame for a lot of the [zb] in the job, because of the power they have over drivers… that they did not initially have, but developed over the years since they got off the ground in the 80s.Full time employment is not perfect by any means, but neither is agency employment, despite Conor’s efforts to convince us so.
It is all about what suits each individual that is what I was getting at.Spot on! Yes there are highly employable drivers mixed with unemployable drivers in agency work but you could say the same thing about full time drivers. Either way there will be good and bad but we all make choices depending on our own personal circumstances. There is no right or wrong answer regarding the full time v agency argument. We are doing exactly the same job either way so it really does come down to a lifestyle choice, not attitude or skillset.
At last a sensible post in the middle of a ■■■■■■■ contest.
The point that is being missed is this is not isolated to our industry. The zero hours contract - which is effectively what agency work is - is effecting most areas of employment. From the NHS and the BBC to warehousing and construction the agency/zero hours worker is everywhere. The IT industry is at the heart of everything and contract !! workers and consultants are the norm.
Is it good for the average worker, no. Can we the average worker do anything about it, lets face it no…
Some choose to embrace it and use the nature of agency work to their advantage, some need the security offered by a long term contract of employment. Some will unfortunately get taken advantage of by the system. But then again since the dawn of time the planet has always been about survival of the fittest (not a shot at the ear piece wearing limpers).
I have been doing agency work this year, as been a very long time away from the industry. In the last seven months have been offered six permanent jobs, four directly and two through agencies. I gave the first full time job up after just two weeks, as the vehicles were in too bad a state, the other full time job (via agency) came to an end within a short time due to problems with the operators license, the company now appears to have ceased operations.
The other four permanent jobs on offer which I declined, included an outfit I basically didn’t believe when they suggested it would only be about two nights out a year, which for me wasn’t realistic for distance work. Another was offering a totally different job to what was actually advertised, which was never going to create trust in them. One involved 365 day cover 24/7 which the agency had conveniently declined to mention and the final outfit wanted to pay me part cash in my hand and part through the books, which is ok if you want HMRC knocking at your door some time in the future.
There are many permanent driving jobs out there, but it more a question of people not wanting to work for some of those operators. It not always down to money either… 
One thing I wouldn’t like about being agency now is all the newer trucks. Buttons and different electronics everywhere I’m happy with just one or two makes now.
God bless TruckNet, interesting reading above. I can see both points of view that good jobs on full time are probably the bee’s knees, but, I can see how that being very experienced in all types of driving LGV would make you very employable - therefore maximum income from agency for sick/cover/specials.
Good reading.
Full time on a good contract and wouldn’t dream of agency unless it was a necessity here.
all said and told does it really matter? agency or full time if your happy then fine.
all this my balls are bigger than yours - I earn more than you do blah blah blah, jesus we are grown men going on like children.
where conor lives he may be on great money where I live its not so good whoopity do, we all go out to earn a crust get home safe and that’s it (unless your one of the saddo’s who sits on a weekend polishing your bosses motor but that’s a different thread I reckon ).
I have worked for agencies good and bad and had good and bad full time jobs (some of the worst paid I was the happiest at too), its great earning ■■■■■■■■■ but not if your unhappy doing it/have no time to enjoy it for me in any case, some people love being away 2-3 weeks then have a week off, other like agency work so they can work 3/4 days a week rather than 5/6 and be dictated too.
what does it matter at the end of the day all it is is willy waving 
war1974:
all said and told does it really matter? agency or full time if your happy then fine.
all this my balls are bigger than yours - I earn more than you do blah blah blah, jesus we are grown men going on like children.where conor lives he may be on great money where I live its not so good whoopity do, we all go out to earn a crust get home safe and that’s it (unless your one of the saddo’s who sits on a weekend polishing your bosses motor but that’s a different thread I reckon
I have worked for agencies good and bad and had good and bad full time jobs (some of the worst paid I was the happiest at too), its great earning [zb] but not if your unhappy doing it/have no time to enjoy it for me in any case, some people love being away 2-3 weeks then have a week off, other like agency work so they can work 3/4 days a week rather than 5/6 and be dictated too.
what does it matter at the end of the day all it is is willy waving
Can we please have a like button on this forum…thankyouplease
DearBoy:
I can see both points of view that good jobs on full time are probably the bee’s knees, but, I can see how that being very experienced in all types of driving LGV would make you very employable - therefore maximum income from agency
Yeh but you do not have to be an agency driver to have had experience on varied aspects of the job, despite what Conor listing his experience was trying to prove…or have I picked you up wrong 
btw. The official “Trucknet Spokesman for all things agency” seems to have gone quiet on the subject, is he wishing he kept quiet due to some reactions to his posts?
Agencies.,.,.,.,.I’m with Skinner. Shut them down
robroy:
Yeh but you do not have to be an agency driver to have had experience on varied aspects of the job, despite what Conor listing his experience was trying to prove…or have I picked you up wrongbtw. The official “Trucknet Spokesman for all things agency” seems to have gone quiet on the subject, is he wishing he kept quiet due to some reactions to his posts?
Some interesting stuff on the list too, 100 tonne STGO work, ADR fuel tanker work, Kinda makes you wonder why he’s delivering kitchens for a tenner an hour for some agency. I suppose, this is the internet, & you can be whoever & whatever you want.
He’s been rumbled as a total & utter fanny! That might keep him quiet for a little while.
robroy:
DearBoy:
I can see both points of view that good jobs on full time are probably the bee’s knees, but, I can see how that being very experienced in all types of driving LGV would make you very employable - therefore maximum income from agencyYeh but you do not have to be an agency driver to have had experience on varied aspects of the job, despite what Conor listing his experience was trying to prove…or have I picked you up wrong
Very true, and no you’ve not picked me up wrong. I agree with you and fall firmly on the ‘contracted/full time’ side of the discussion.
Most of us do the same type of work in the same type of vehicle day in, day out though so I can see a point in wanting to have recent experience in many jobs/vehicle types to offer up for tender.
robroy:
Conor:
busteredwards:
Winseer:
The only reason people take full time jobs that pay less than at agency - is “insecurity”.The ‘only’ reason? You’re deluded if you believe that!
I’v been in full time employment for long & weary, & can’t say that I’m insecure enough to want to sign up to these agencies. Pretty sure I’d be more ‘insecure’ wondering if I’d be getting a weeks work next week, or if I’ll be earning nothing.
You’ve just proved what he said was right. You’re so insecure in your life, either in your ability as a driver, financially, mentally or all of the aforementioned that you feel you need the security of a regular weekly wage from full time permanent employment.
For those of us with bigger balls who feel secure in our abilities as a driver and have secure finances we are more willing to take a chance and earn more money per hour but without the certainty of permanent employment.
I wouldn’t have worded it quite the way he has, but he is right! 
And that is the reason why all the permies replying are up in arms because there’s nothing they hate more than seeing agency drivers in all year round doing the same work as themselves for ~50% more brass because they know how to play the game. You will hear it in haulage yards the length and breadth of the country, “how come all these agency are in? I only got 50 hours last week and no nights out. If we didn’t have all these agency in we could be doing that work”. Yet when you suggest to them that they too could be having a slice of the same cake, “oh no mate, I couldn’t do it, I need the security as I’ve got an £800/month mortgage and 3 kids”. So absolutely nothing to do with insecurity then… 
The few that do decide to jack in and go on the agency circuit last all of 5 mins because they expect to get all the cream work right off the bat and when that doesn’t materialise they go grovelling for their old job back, tell anyone that’ll listen that all agencies are scum and maliciously wait in the wings for the next ■■■■ up to happen and immediately blame it on the agency driver in order to feel better about their own shortcomings.
That is the real truth of the matter.