oddsodz:
my father drove trucks and it was just the same then as it know,it wont change as it hasnt for over 45 years,
Oh but it has changed!!! unfortunatly for the worse when all other jobs have changed for the better!!
AND SOME FOLK ARE MORE INTERESTED IN SPOILING TACTICS… as has been said …instead of mocking what tony or any one else has to say…why not get behind him…(though not literally 
)…
the troulble is (i think). is there are those with a spine for a fight… and those with no spine. those who are happy to plod on.what is so wrong in wanting to better our conditions/pay…i bet those of you who think this is pointless are the first to whinge if your yearly pay rise aint up to what you wanted… )in private of course)…so basically why dont you lot that think we are wasting our time not contribute to this debate. instead of trying to wind every one up… we are having discussions/debates… not getting into private little nonsense slagging matches…
this post is not directed at any one person…it is merely my observations… 
Thecritic:
oddsodz:
my father drove trucks and it was just the same then as it know,it wont change as it hasnt for over 45 years,Oh but it has changed!!! unfortunatly for the worse when all other jobs have changed for the better!!
is this why the firemen went on strike and the nurses need more money and every body else threatons stike??..if the need for strike is here know why are not the unions shouting the odds?? for us to go on strike for fairer deals?? simple cus it wouldnt make the slightest difference thats why,
ohterry555:
AND SOME FOLK ARE MORE INTERESTED IN SPOILING TACTICS… as has been said …instead of mocking what tony or any one else has to say…why not get behind him…(though not literally :lol: :lol: )…
the troulble is (i think). is there are those with a spine for a fight… and those with no spine. those who are happy to plod on.what is so wrong in wanting to better our conditions/pay…i bet those of you who think this is pointless are the first to whinge if your yearly pay rise aint up to what you wanted… )in private of course)…so basically why dont you lot that think we are wasting our time not contribute to this debate. instead of trying to wind every one up… we are having discussions/debates… not getting into private little nonsense slagging matches…
this post is not directed at any one person…it is merely my observations… :roll: :roll:
[/quote
VERY WELL SAID]
I am against strike action, National strikes are outdated methods and its the wrong tactic for our situation. Pay is an issue between employer and employee, if you have a problem with your employer over pay then tackle them directly. National issues are, working hours, Health and Safety, ennforcement, overnight parking, foreign operators and taxes on haulage companies. I keep saying how I think we could use modern methods to tackle government about these issues, but I have been ignored because it seems to be strike or wimp out.
Why is it that those who are so much for action cannot accept that some, in fact many judging by the posts, are happy with their lot and are in jobs they enjoy and are earning good money and as such have no reason to take any action?
It appears that unless you agree 100% with the idea of action you are ‘spineless,’ ‘sitting on the fence’ etc.
muckles:
I am against strike action, National strikes are outdated methods and its the wrong tactic for our situation. Pay is an issue between employer and employee, if you have a problem with your employer over pay then tackle them directly. National issues are, working hours, Health and Safety, ennforcement, overnight parking, foreign operators and taxes on haulage companies. I keep saying how I think we could use modern methods to tackle government about these issues, but I have been ignored because it seems to be strike or wimp out.
hear hear!!! we dont have a national pay for truckdrivers,if the grass is greener,jump the fence,then again we do we have the national wage limit which they could pay us,then where would we be■■? pass the shovel!!
These are my ideas. I’ve have already posted them on another thread, but I’ll post them here.
I’m not saying don’t do anything, but we need to fight this battle using modern tactics not with mass strikes that went out in the late 70’s.
We need to court the press and get a spokeperson that the press will use.
On the Today programme they got Bob Geldof to talk about Fathers rights and he got a good 5-10 minute slot on one of the most important morning news programmes in the UK.
On the same programme there was a report of the haulage industry asking to raise the weight limit on uk roads, to combat the driver shortage, but although there was a quote on the subject from the green lobby therte was no quote from the HGV Drivers lobby.
Although we feel parliment does nothing and europe like wise that is because most of the work is done on commitees, we need to get our chance to give evidence to the commitees. It can be done much smaller groups get there voice heard because they understand how to lobby ministers.
muckles:
I am against strike action, National strikes are outdated methods and its the wrong tactic for our situation. Pay is an issue between employer and employee, if you have a problem with your employer over pay then tackle them directly. National issues are, working hours, Health and Safety, ennforcement, overnight parking, foreign operators and taxes on haulage companies. I keep saying how I think we could use modern methods to tackle government about these issues, but I have been ignored because it seems to be strike or wimp out.
I agree with you!
its about time a debate is started to see who and if we can do something about all the issues you have stated!
As I have said I enjoy a good paid driving job and I do not do nights out! in fact I do a 9 to 5 job…5 being the very latest I get home OK I drive a old 330 DAF but I also get paid almost £30k!
but it still doesn’t stop me wanting to help in improving the current state of the transport industry and I will do what has to be done! all for one and one for all!
Thecritic:
muckles:
I am against strike action, National strikes are outdated methods and its the wrong tactic for our situation. Pay is an issue between employer and employee, if you have a problem with your employer over pay then tackle them directly. National issues are, working hours, Health and Safety, ennforcement, overnight parking, foreign operators and taxes on haulage companies. I keep saying how I think we could use modern methods to tackle government about these issues, but I have been ignored because it seems to be strike or wimp out.I agree with you!
its about time a debate is started to see who and if we can do something about all the issues you have stated!
As I have said I enjoy a good paid driving job and I do not do nights out! in fact I do a 9 to 5 job…5 being the very latest I get home OK I drive a old 330 DAF but I also get paid almost £30k!
but it still doesn’t stop me wanting to help in improving the current state of the transport industry and I will do what has to be done! all for one and one for all!
easyist way to help then is just give some to me,just to make things fairer??
Ive just joined this site and want to take an active part in this topic,as i myself have been working on the same contract for the last 15 years and enjoying a decent standard of living,but with the introduction of the working time directive i feel that those days are numbered.Ive roughly earned around the £28k mark for the last few years for around 58 hours no weekends and this years pay deal has been offered in principal at £21k for the 44 hr week,and i thought we wernt supposed to lose out on this eec directive.But we wont have to work so many hours they are telling us,is that our fault,try telling that to the mortgage company eh
COFFEE, like ive said b4, to those of you that are happy …good luck to you all.
are you saying that those of us that would like things to be a bit better should just shut up?. the reason for this thread was (i think) to sound people out regarding what we could actually do. now there has been many an opinion and thats what its all about aint it.it is easy you know, if you dont agree with whats been said or dislike the contents of certain reply,s… just ignore them… it aint rocket science you know…and if i think spineless or sitting on the fence is the right way of putting my view across then thats what i will say…as you know i get a little passionate about things and say what i think…but hey this topic aint about me. it would keep the topic on track if you had pm…d me instead of the little snide remarks…MY OPINION ANYWAY…
BY THE WAY WELCOME ABOARD WOODY…
WOOLY EVEN… 
TONY:
Why is it we just accept DIRE PAY and CONDITIONS in this industry? We are exploited and paid less to drive 44 TONNE TRUCKS Than the guys who ACTUALLY TIP US…
SO BROTHERS / SISTERS IT IS ARMED WITH THOSE SAD FACTS AND FACTS IS WHAT THEY ARE , THAT I PROPOSE TO RALLY A CALL FOR A NATIONAL STRIKE…
Any dates for a 3 day stoppage by TRUCK DRIVERS to be discussed and arranged A.S.A.P…
it is time we woke up and said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH…
THANK-YOU …TONY.
well■■?
As i have outlined before striking may not now with hindsight ,be the best way forward,it would probably even be shall we say reckless,and even damaging to our industry.That said the proposed three day stoppage i called for when i opened this thread provoked a lot of very interesting responses,and indeed was intended to do just that.
I feel having given it much thought and sought advice exstensivley both legally and within the industry,that the best way forward to highlight the unrest felt by many drivers is to reach out to them with constructive and sensible ideas through the media.
I have invited Mr. Dave Young editor of T/D a publication that CLAIMS to be 100% for the DRIVER to comment with his views on the state of pay/conditions and my efforts to bring some long overdue changes to our industry.I feel using the media platform he has at his desposal is the way to go, to reach out to drivers in a broader sense.I AWAIT HIS REPLY.
As for those of you happy with your lot you have my best and kindest wishes,BUT sadly most with whome i come into contact are not,and in closing may i add that the odd negative remark or jibe cannot AND will not destract me from making an impact by whatever means possible to drag this industry out of the dark ages and into the reality of modern daily working life with the pay and conditions deserving of a place within the year 2004.
YOURS IN TRUST AND HONESTY TONY…Professional H.G.V. DRIVER.
ohterry555:
are you saying that those of us that would like things to be a bit better should just shut up?.
No I’m not saying that at all, I am saying that I don’t believe derogatory remarks about people who don’t agree with the idea of a strike is fair or actually does your cause any good
ohterry555:
the reason for this thread was (i think) to sound people out regarding what we could actually do. now there has been many an opinion and thats what its all about aint it.it is easy you know, if you dont agree with whats been said or dislike the contents of certain reply,s… just ignore them…
Wouldn’t be many debates on here if people only posted/read the topics they agreed with. 
ohterry555:
it aint rocket science you know…and if i think spineless or sitting on the fence is the right way of putting my view across then thats what i will say…as you know i get a little passionate about things and say what i think…
Nothing wrong with being passionate about something you feel strongly about but youn are contradicting yourself a little. One minute people are spineless or fence sitters and the next:
ohterry555:
like ive said b4, to those of you that are happy …good luck to you all.
ohterry555:
but hey this topic aint about me. it would keep the topic on track if you had pm…d me instead of the little snide remarks…MY OPINION ANYWAY…
I don’t believe my comments were off track. I also don’t think they were snide and I didn’t resort to a PM as they weren’t aimed specifically at you although I did quote a couple of your remarks when I should have used some from others as well. They were just the comments that came to mind when I was typing the post and I didn’t realise it was you who had saiod them both. I apologise if that offended you.
Just my opinion anyway and good luck to you.
tony
you ask us to follow you, i know nothing about you i don’t know where you come from in the country ,who you used to work for as a driver. absolutly nothing.
for all i know you could be another wind up merchant
why don’t you get a petition up when you stop for your rest/break and get drivers to sign it, then go to number 10 and hand it to tony (if he’s in the country).
stating on the petition that drivers are unhappy with pay and conditions and that things need to change.otherwise he may have the same problem as the fuel strike.
as for unions there are to many of them and there all singging from diffrent hymn sheets.also diffrent companys only recognise certain unions.
striking is a last resort ,work to rule stop the speeding (but then again some like to keep her lit ) which in its self is screwing the industry up. 
just my thoughts
jon
its a pity that an online petition couldnt be organised so we could sign it in someway then send it off to the government.
or has it been done somewhere and i have missed it.
muckles:
Although we feel parliment does nothing and europe like wise that is because most of the work is done on commitees, we need to get our chance to give evidence to the commitees. It can be done much smaller groups get there voice heard because they understand how to lobby ministers.
Thats the rub Muckles. Lobbying is a proffesion in this land, and I repeat, if any substantial change for the better is to be secured for the future, the INDUSTRY, and that means all of it, us, the gaffers, the unions, the trade associations, all of us, must speak with one voice.
This does not mean of course that the voice is limited to one issue. As you have pointed out in this thread, and I myself pointed out to Tony early on, localised disputes for pay are easy to manage as they are localised, its common sense.
But the issues that would galvanise the energies of the entire industry go well beyond pay. I am not saying that pay is not an issue here, but to get to the position where the industry has a meaningfull clout in the lobbies (where it all happens) then issues that are common to all are of course the easiest way to start as there will be likely a lot more natural agreement. I hope you can see what I mean here.
United we stand, divided we fall, the voice of the industry, if galvanised and united is a mighty one and a government, any of them, would know this and start talking sense. Well, I believe that, and unfortunately, I still believe Ive got more chance of going to the moon than see it happen in my lifetime.
Mal.