Where I worked!! They don’t have many drivers. Most of them left while I was there. They have to use 40% agency drivers.
I ended up being almost the longest serving driver and I was employed by an agency. Strange that wonder why ?
Was the first to be sacked though. Think it’s obvious why. Cos I stuck at it and did not crack and challenged them. Like we should do.
Never leave a tacho card in Any truck overnight even if you take the keys home.
As workshop office or anybody could move it and it will show up on your card and cause you problems
So what would you think if I’d never been brieffed on any infringements ?
My last infringement prior to the one in question was 28th April. I was working locally. Started at 6am. Been running out of steelworks and head was everywhere felt really bad. Stopped at 4.34 to have a 45. Later that day at arround 5pm was asked to drive to wincanton for 8 am.
Never questioned a job. But felt ■■■■■■ Asked if the del could be moved. Told no had to be there. So I said I could not do it. Was then told I was going to pull a sicky. It want the case at all.
I went home had so rest and tablets. Went in at 7 and did a Glasgow. Felt much better. Before I left went in office with print out and told them about infringement. Answer no bother you don’t get them now.
7 days later I fail to hit button at night. Boss is acting mad at everyone.(this is a story on its own see below) I get a dissaplinary hearing then it’s suspended for weeks. Then a day later due to contacting DVLA. The chop.
Why was boss mad
Trampers get same money as day drivers. Firm gave everyone 5% increase in April excluding drivers.
So he sends letter out proposing withdrawing salary and offering lower wages. Within 2 days withdraws that and makes overtime offer. Within 2 working days offers 3 % increase instead. Told if don’t except within 2 days will not get anything for year. All copied.
I responded to what’s app group saying drivers should be able to comment. I agreed saying yes to all 3 offers linked to productivity.
He deleted my comment. The group and issued my hearing by 9.15 am next morning.
Sound rational. He was acting like an irrational petulant child. No one has had any pay rise now.
Steveeasy
Steveeasy, yes - you can be sacked within first 2 years for pretty much any reason, unless you can clearly prove discrimination, serious breach of the law etc.
Unfortunately most levers of power are in their hands. The problem is, this attitude of ‘oh I’m gonna stand up for myself’, and start lashing out, is counter-productive. If you take on your employer, you need to know what you’re doing and consider the likely outcome (gains vs losses). Usually, you are much better to move on, even if you are in the right. Not pretty but practical. I say this as a general comment, the devil is in the details of course.
And if you do take them on, there is a progression for it: gentle nudge, informal discussion, formal meeting but no grievance raised (to show good faith), grievance, union rep, employment tribunal. Most people go all in all guns blazing, in an effort to scare them off, and most of the time it falls flat.
Busybody1. Good points. Thanks.
The company are international with head office in Atlanta. Have a good code of conduct to report matters and how managers and CEOs should act. I’ve written to them.
Tried rational approach nothing not even a contact for HR department. So it’s ACAS then the tribunal route. Traffic commissioner has been written to as well as I’ve stated briefings never took place and I’ve been dismissed because of posting a response to wage proposals and the DVLA contact. It’s nothing to do with not pressing a button just the excuse.
Thanks
Steveeasy
You’ve already been dismissed unfortunately. In the wrong or not, they’ve now played their hand, and it’s near impossible to turn that around without taking them to court. Look at it from their perspective: you’re a trouble-maker. They don’t want you around at any cost now, even if they lose in court and have to compensate you a few grand. Yeah, sure, f*** about with them a bit (reporting etc) while you’re looking for another job!
I suggest another career. There’s no shame in it. I’m not cut out to be a counsellor, so I don’t do that. Neither am I cut out to be a chef for example. perhaps it’s time to reassess?
Being proactive I had a new job the day of my dismissal. Quite nice to get another £300 a week for same work too. I will continue to pursue the firm.
I’m going to take legal advise on the infringement and following this I’ll update what I’m told.
As for assessing
My career. I’m a dam good Driver with a great safety record. I can drive anywhere in the country with no fuss. Not hitting the rest button causes me no concerns. Operators do though.
Steveeasy
Steveeasy
My second contract I did NOT sign. Why try and change it after 8 weeks Was for 60 hrs each week. Salary £757. Not that I could do 60 hrs each week, or could I?. I did but I didn’t. What a shambles of an industry at 12.60 am hr.
Steveeasy
5 12 hrs day is 60 hrs a week.simple.
Can do more
Most hours can work is 60 a week but poa break don’t count even though your technically still at work
So 5 days a week you could work 3x13 plus 2 x15 making 69 hours if you take appropriate breaks use poa
But can you ?. You’re not suggesting doing stuff that might jeopardise the companies!!! Are you. And why would you for tuppance more than the min wage and no overtime.
It’s a disgrace how some firms operate. My contract was open ended. Hours required. Then I get a new one 60 hrs each week. Even that is not right an existing contract should be amended for changes not binned with a new one made to sign.
Technically at work. So use POA to reduce hours but working. Trying to wriggle out of WTD. But I can’t try and defend myself when I took a rest but did not press a button.
Let’s tip on break too. Firms like that. Fancy trying to beat a system built on lies for who.
Except that if made known in the industry it could make getting another job difficult.
I’d never use break on a bay or poa etc. as for working over 60 hrs most companies seem to expect. As said if you take regular breaks you can quite legally work over 60 hrs a week.
Morally would you want to ?well thats your own choice. Some people will some won’t
As for companies offering set hours only hiab Builders Travis Perkins etc offer set hours want you done for when shop closes.
But no place I know offers set hours your start at 6 finish at 4 etc.
It’s impossible to guarantee a finish time
Each to there own really..
As for salary it’s way. Of making you work for minimum wage.
I only ever had 1 job salaried was great first 6 months nice steady done for 4 ISH.
Then starting sending me bit further extra drops and soon became 6 pm finish. I mentioned it was told swings roundabouts some weeks your get away earlier.
Only job I’ve ever just walked out on with no. Notice. Just said stick your job I’m off.
And ever r since always found a job paid by the hour so if get stuck in an accident for hours on M6 least getting paid for it
One of my salaried jobs meant if we ran out of driving or working hours on a Friday, that ended up with running in on Saturday morning , back to the yard,for no pay as the salary was only for Monday to Friday, then another kicker was no night out money for Friday night.
It was always the same drivers that were shafted for this.
Going back to what I previously said on other threads and posts, with how some drivers get preferential treatment compared to the rest who didn’t, the blue eyed boys were parked up in the yard as early as 10.00 or 11.00 am on Friday morning.
On another salaried job, the guy only had three lorries and he drove one all week as the boss, he would pay me in cash that was inside a brown envelope, on the back he wrote down all the tax reductions and NI contributions but it was always short of either £15 or £20 per week.
He used to get me a reload on a Friday that he knew full well I could not make it back to the yard due to the distance, another job that was paid for Monday to Friday, so running back on Saturday, no pay, nothing for the night out Friday night, when I did get home on Saturday morning he had the audacity to ring me to ask me to come to the yard to service and maintain the tractor units and trailers.