Problem or what?

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
101

norb:
Have been reading this with interest ,and though I may not come up with anything new bonnie lass ,do you know why the previous TM left ■■ Did your boss force him out to get this new one in ■■? Could you contact him to find out why he left ?Unless you already know that is …
From what you have previously said ,the main boss is good friends with this new TM…and he backs him up.Just keep giving a 100% which may be difficult at times until you find a new job…With your record keeping which now should include all communications they will not have a leg to stand on come an unfair dismissal claim. Tachograph records will show that you couldn’t make the deadlines…If you have a clock on machine,then that will show when you arrived at work…I have a mate at work ,his other half is an employment laywer, will try and see what she says ,no guarantee but I will ask…If he can find out ,would you mind if I sent a pm if she asks questions ?

Looking back I should have cut out the waffle and just said I have a mate :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: Mate was a ate thought,and dam if I was deleting the text it tok 30 mins to write :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

Late edition ,I also know someone in a bluechip company who works in the closing of contracts etc ,I will also seek here advice

Thanks for your reply norb, I will always give 100% to any job I do. I am sure you mean well & thank you for your offer of a friends lawyer, however I will seek advice from the pointers I have already received. I do appreciate your willingness to help it was a kind offer.

102

D-ya not?:

bonnie lass:

D-ya not?:
You’re are in a difficult position, but that’s only going to change by leaving or getting the sack. And one of them is coming soon.And better off you’ll be.
There’s a strong chance work is aware of this thread already. So things aren’t going to get any better. what do you intend to do next time you’re in work?

Thanks for your reply D ya not, yes it’s a difficult position to be in, & through not fault of my own. why when what work was done by me all over last year doing all types of c+e work , why has it suddenly become a problem all of a sudden?
Work my be aware of this thread, however I have not named anyone or the company, & i am entitled to ask for help , advice and to discuss the issues wether it is on a forum or in private. I also do my work properly with good heart & honesty to the best I can. Previous employers have been 100 % happy with my work the years of working for them . I have a sound track record of work history.

You sound like a decent employee, but that doesn’t explain what you intend to do next time you’re in work
How long have you worked here, did this start when the new TM arrived?

I shall go to work as usual, it is my job & will give 100 % , I take pride in what I do.

103

Contraflow:

bonnie lass:

Contraflow:
Joining a union now probably won’t help; it might come in useful next time you’re getting sacked though.

Everybody joins a union when they’re in the [zb] and the unions are aware of that.

Check the T&Cs because joining a union and then expecting free representation and advice a week later doesn’t usually work out.

Thanks for your reply contraflow, I have never been in this position before , do you happen to know how long you would need to be a union member for broke they act in difficulties?

Good question.

I’m a member of Unite and looking through their rule book, I found this -

“The Executive Council shall determine the period of membership necessary prior to the member attaining eligibility for benefits…”

So there is no straight answer forthcoming from Unite, not sure about the others.

Basically, it’s up to them and only joining because you already need their help is unlikely to result in you receiving any help.

Thanks, that’s interesting. Have you ever used unite or know of anyone who has? I guess what I’m asking is are they any good for getting things sorted?

104

I was about to reply, then realized my grand father clock has stopped, I’ll just go and do the necessary

105

They didn’t give you a contract? They are supposed to provide a written contract within 3 months of taking you on. Add that to the list of concerns to put forward to your legal advisor :wink:

106

Even if you don’t have a “clock in” device at work, CCTV will pick you up coming and going from the yard at the correct times.

107

Bonnie Lass, on the subject of Unite, formerly TGWU, can i give my tuppenceworth.

I’ve been at the wheel for what seems a lifetime, i’ve had poor jobs and i’ve had some of the very best, the one constant about the very best jobs is that they were all unionised, with TGWU/Unite being my union for many years now.

The things is that in a proper unionised job, your situation would have been nipped in the bud, intimidation, victimisation call it what you will doesn’t usually get past the first hurdle.

As Contraflow mentions, it’s not something you pick up and put down as and when it suits, you view your union membership as you would an insurance policy, you hope you don’t need their intervention in disciplinary procedures, but it’s NBG joining after the event.

Unionised companies have proper terms and conditions in the first place.

The thing i must mention though is a that a good shop steward…the most important choice you will make is the choice of steward…should wear two hats IMO.
He/she is there to help and support the members, and to negotiate preferential terms and conditions for all.

However the good steward should wear the gaffers/foremans/company hat now and again, and when someone is acting up and in the wrong the steward should be prepared to put them right, two fold the reason, one so the one doing wrong gets a warning and if they have any sense takes heed of it and so keeps out of the company radar/disciplinary procedures (course if they’re too stupid for that they have to take their chances)…the second reason being that proper unionised jobs are usually good numbers and only a fool would want to see the job ruined for everyone…problems are best kept low key and informal if possible and the big cheeses upstairs can stay in their ivory towers doing sod all, they do less damage up there out the way.

Its in no one’s interests for good jobs to be destroyed by silly union tactics, look back to the 70’s for idiocy in all its glory, if the company doesn’t make a profit there won’t be those good jobs for long, so even if full sick pay etc are agreed it’s a last resort, not the way to a few extra weeks holiday a year.

Thats my take on the union thing.

I’ve worked in one place where the stewards were badly (company if you like) chosen, they lined their own pockets with company collusion (the right work meaning their pay was massively better on the unfair pay scheme) at the expense of the rest of the members except for the few accolytes who kept them elected…the place was horrible to work at anyway, still is, and up to a point this milking of the job can be a problem anywhere, but overall the union has seen me in far better fettle overall than those in non union jobs.

108

scanny77:
They didn’t give you a contract? They are d to provide a written contract within 3 months of taking you on. Add o the list of concerns to put forward to your legal advisor :wink:

They gave me a contract which I didn’t agree to some of the contents & the boss said well have to go through it , only this never happened, so not signed by me.

109

Radar19:
Even if you don’t have a “clock in” device at work CCTV will pick you up coming and going from the yard at the correct times.

My diary , tacho & tracker should all match up spot on. And the cctv should too , thats good.

110

Juddian:
Bonnie Lass, on the subject of Unite, formerly TGWU, can i gmy tuppenceworth.

I’ve been at the wheel for what seems a lifetime, i’ve had poor jobs and i’ve had some of the very best, the one constant about the very best jobs is that they were all unionised, with TGWU/Unite being my union for many years now.

The things is that in a proper unionised job, your situation would have been nipped in the bud, intimidation, victimisation call it what you will doesn’t usually get past the first hurdle.

As Contraflow mentions, it’s not something you pick up and put down as and when it suits, you view your union membership as you would an insurance policy, you hope you don’t need their intervention in disciplinary procedures, but it’s NBG joining after the event.

Unionised companies have proper terms and conditions in the first place.

The thing i must mention though is a that a good shop steward…the most important choice you will make is the choice of steward…should wear two hats IMO.
He/she is there to help and support the members, and to negotiate preferential terms and conditions for all.

However the good steward should wear the gaffers/foremans/company hat now and again, and when someone is acting up and in the wrong the steward should be prepared to put them right, two fold the reason, one so the one doing wrong gets a warning and if they have any sense takes heed of it and so keeps out of the company radar/disciplinary procedures (course if they’re too stupid for that they have to take their chances)…the second reason being that proper unionised jobs are usually good numbers and only a fool would want to see the job ruined for everyone…problems are best kept low key and informal if possible and the big cheeses upstairs can stay in their ivory towers doing sod all, they do less damage up there out the way.

Its in no one’s interests for good jobs to be destroyed by silly union tactics, look back to the 70’s for idiocy in all its glory, if the company doesn’t make a profit there won’t be those good jobs for long, so even if full sick pay etc are agreed it’s a last resort, not the way to a few extra weeks holiday a year.

Thats my take on the union thing.

I’ve worked in one place where the stewards were badly (company if you like) chosen, they lined their own pockets with company collusion (the right work meaning their pay was massively better on the unfair pay scheme) at the expense of the rest of the members except for the few accolytes who kept them elected…the place was horrible to work at anyway, still is, and up to a point this milking of the job can be a problem anywhere, but overall the union has seen me in far better fettle overall than those in non union jobs.

I have no idea if there is a union there , I haven’t heard one spoken of . thanks for giving me a better insite as to how it all works, im taking it all on board.

111

The next time the office say ‘if it happens again’ burst into song UB40 stylee and finish the line with 'I’m leaving,I’ll pack up my bags and go,If it happens again there will be no coming back and I wont say I told you so, then do your best rastaman walk to the door and give em two fingers on the way out.

112

bonnie lass:
they have started to phone me in the truck, which is starting to be a nuisance, they have a tracker so know where I am, so why phone me to ask where I am.

And I am hoping that you have the sense not to answer the phone if your not hands free?

If you aren’t, then remind them that it is an offence to answer the phone while not in control of the vehicle, and that it is YOUR licence, not theirs.

Name and shame if you want.

Ken.

113

Or you could sit on the TM’s desk and sit for around 30 seconds or so looking thoughtful.

Then burst out with a Clash favourite…

114

Quinny:

bonnie lass:
they have started to phone me in the truck, which is starting to be a nuisance, they have a tracker so know where I am, so why phone me to ask where I am.

And I am hoping that you have the sense not to answer the phone if your not hands free?

If you aren’t, then remind them that it is an offence to answer the phone while not in control of the vehicle, and that it is YOUR licence, not theirs.

Name and shame if you want.

Ken.

It is also an offence to phone someone when you know it is illegal for them to answer although I am not sure if it a specific offence or if it comes under a general category like incitement

115

As I quoted earlier Bonnie Lass… Just keep that diary filled in with all the timings start, arrival, load, Unload etc. etc.
If it boils down to the Tm is a moron and doesn’t plan well your boss will see through the BS… If its an issue where you loading and unloading then its down to the TM to deal with…end of the day its his job, what does he think he’s being paid for…

If the issues continue or they try and hold disciplinary action, then make sure you have a witness. And use you diary as your evidence…

By all means join a Union, good thing to have in place when things go wrong or you end up having issues such as this I would consider either Unite or URTU the later is dedicated to serving the interests of HGV, LGV, lorry, truck drivers and warehouse staff…
Just see how the next week goes… Oh be sure to drop it out, once you’ve joined a Union then certain ppl would think twice about intimidating staff with ultimatums
Chin up and don’t let the 8astards grind you down… if they do, its time to start to look for something else

116

Is there a man in your life Bonnie Lass ?..if so,does he,perchance,possess a cordless drill ?..with a very sharp drill bit ?
Years ago,the wife of “a mate of mine” was getting serious ■■■■■■ harrassment from her boss,who ran a taxi company.
After many,many,many unexplained flat tyres on his fleet,I think the penny dropped :wink:
Not that I,in any way condone any illegal conduct whatsoever :sunglasses:

117

bonnie lass:

scanny77:
They didn’t give you a contract? They are d to provide a written contract within 3 months of taking you on. Add o the list of concerns to put forward to your legal advisor :wink:

They gave me a contract which I didn’t agree to some of the contents & the boss said well have to go through it , only this never happened, so not signed by me.

Your continuing to work is deemed to be acceptance of the contract.

118

[qu,ote=“amamdada”]The next time the office say ‘if it happens again’ burst into song UB40 stylee and finish the line with 'I’m leaving,I’ll pack up my bags and go,If it happens again there will be no coming back and I wont say I told you so, then do your best rastaman walk to the door and give em two fingers on the way out.
[/quote]
Aye you never know!

119

Quinny:

bonnie lass:
they hafreetarted to phone me in the truck, which is starting to be a nuisance, they have a tracker so know where I am, so why phone me to ask where I am.

And I am hoping that you have the sense not to answer the phone if your not hands free?

If you aren’t, then remind them that it is an offence to answer the phone while not in control of the vehicle, and that it is YOUR licence, not theirs.

Name and shame if you want.

Ken.

Thanks for your reply Quinny Ken, the phone is hands free, push a button.
If they keep pestering on the phone I just won’t answer it if I m head back .

120

bonnie lass:

James the cat:
You’re not paid to stress. Drivers don’t get paid enough for that. Someone else is paid to do that, you’re paid to drive from one place to tuther. You need to clear the air with whoever issued the threat. Explain to them what do they want you to do? What ■■■■■■ me off in the driving game is there’s always this underlying un said tone that as a driver you’ll pick up the slack or make it happen if it’s not going right. I wish they’d spit it out and just say “we expect you to speed”.

Tell this person straight up youve been thinking about it and that you’re not having it. You arrived and waited for a load. It was late being loaded. You informed office. End of. You them drove A to B. you weren’t doing 25 mph in motorways or stopping off to visit Disney land. If it was late then the fault is with the chain. Further explain that you don’t like being threatened with dismissal for faults in the system and if it comes to that you’ll be persuing legal action. Show them you have balls. Sorry, I know you’re a lass but you know my drift.

Thanks for your reply James, the loads coming back late due to being loaded late. The new manager has an axe to grind about it, at the end of the day it’s down to bad planning. I have explained in clear details & photocopied for him the shift page diary showing the times etc. He’s still trying to blame me when I asked if he had sorted the problem out. The boss is on my case because it is costing him money in fines if the goods I bring back are delivered late, I also explained the times etc in the diary of why I was late back. Bottom line is if it happens again he said that the parting of the ways.
I have made it clear that I will seek further advice on the situation.

ask/ tell him you’ll start four hours later? Then you can be like the other guys! Straight in and straight out! Alternatively I’ve a direct number for special forces flight no.5 out of odiham that ca get yu a chinook, and they’ll be no traffic on the road too :grimacing: you must be like that ONE AND ONLY STOBRAT truck on the road? :grimacing: :grimacing: keep your entries in your diary and if need be buy a dictaphone and tape him with his idle threats BUT tell him you’re recording him too! Soon back down! :sunglasses: