i asked the so called “gaffer” for 2wks holiday,he told me already 2 drivers off,you can have the last 2wks in july!! 
,i told him when the last gaffer was in the chair, i asked for holidays & he said that’s what agency’s are there for!! tough came the reply, i phoned H.R. hmmmmmmmmmm seems like yr stuck between a rock & a hard place. the end result is last 2 wks in july,not the best way to treat your workforce. 
Give him a weeks notice. Start a new job in three weeks time. Easy 
That seems to be the norm these days. With the present financial climate and the big boys undercutting the smaller firms, I can understand the reluctance to get an agency driver in as then the boss has another wage to pay at a higher rate than the regular workforce.
If it’s any consolation the company I work for has around 300 drivers and only 20 can be off at any one time. They do this on a first come - fist served basis and holidays can be booked a year in advance.