Is it not time a truly dedicated drivers union was formed ?
Its been tried, URTU is/was primarily a drivers union.
Don’t think a drivers only union will ever work here, too many envious idiotic back stabbers who think everyone should be equal at the bottom, read the Tesco Doncaster thread to see them in all their infamy.
What we have to remember is that a union is not some magical mythical thing, whatever its called its only as good as its members and their common sense approach to bettering themselves whilst helping to keep their company profitable and productive, a good union steward has to wear two hats one to represent his members but another to discipline the excesses and stupidity of some individual members.
I’m in T&G despite it being called something else now, where i work the union works well.
edit.
We’d be better off joining the RMT, Bob Crowe looks after his members…who stick together.
Go dig your tin hat out.
Double quick!
Transport as an industry and the drivers within that industry are so diverse in their jobs and the ways in which they do, or want to do those jobs that there would never be any kind of solidarity when it mattered.
robinhood_1984:
Transport as an industry and the drivers within that industry are so diverse in their jobs and the ways in which they do, or want to do those jobs that there would never be any kind of solidarity when it mattered.[/quoteAgree totally. In a previous life I was a urtu shop steward who was informed of a place where the drivers were on strike,it was a place we delivered to regularly, mentioned it to the lads and almost to a man I got the
nothing to do with meattitude. Was one of the reason`s I eventually gave up the union game.
I’m in unite drivercare but would love to hear of a better scheme out there??
Leave the Unions in the past, where they belong. Some of us on here are old enough to remember the bad old days !
libcom.org/history/1978-1979-win … discontent
When you’ve read this link, find a copy of “Animal Farm” by George Orwell, read the book then if you feel the same, re-post your enthusiasm for a union !
Drivers don’t want a union; they prefer stabbing each other in the back.
Unions are a gonner these days, they have no clout or standing anymore, you pay your Union subscriptions to keep some pen pusher there in a job,
One day the shop steward could stand up to the company and had full union backing, now the shop steward doesnt have the backing and is fearful of upsetting the company because he has bills to pay.
Its a dog eat dog world out there, ideally we would all stand together, but when theres bills to be paid and mouths to feed, along with a long line of folk who would willingly do your job to get off the dole/half week on agency then the employer holds the cards.
If you want a Union, send me £8 a month and I will spend it wisely … On beer and I will fill your head with what you want to hear 
That was the whole point of privateision, divide and rule, and it’s worked.
I’m a bus driver, 150 plus drivers at my depot, and between us we are on about 6 different contracts. So even if there was a problem at my depot, you would still not get 100% of the workforce on strike.
TBH, your better off making sure your home insurance has legal cover and joining ‘the consumer forums’ on the net, they have all the info on employment law you will ever need.
I’m sure alot of us remember the UK in the 70’s, the pendulum has now swung the other way, in the boses favour.
But, remember the tanker drivers earlier this year going on strike?, plenty on here slagged them off for being greedy, when what they were doing is fighting for thier terms and conditions.
Say what you like about the RMT/bob crowe, but by sticking together they are on a good deal.
I agree. it wouldn’t work. The first time there was a mass strike, how long before non-union drivers were bought in to cover the strikers? there’s always a haulage firm who would step in to take up the slack. it’s too much of a cut-throat business, plus it doesn’t help when there are so many drivers who simply HAVE to work 80 hours a week to avoid slipping into debt who would never go on strike nor even join the union.
Where I work the union is a joke. their strings are completely pulled by the company.
best thing that happened to unions was maggie thatcher 
I have only been in a union once in my life. Years ago I was on milk tankers, if you weren’t in the union you had to join it before they would give you a start, ( not sure I think they called it a closed shop in those days ) I was in it for a few years, the only thing they did for me was take their membership money from me every week.
d4c24a:
best thing that happened to unions was maggie thatcher
Well said that man!!! 
a union are only as good as the members that are in it, ie waste of money 
you seem to get the cream jobs to keep ya sweet if your a shop stewared
Drivers could not stick together if they were made of velcro. You have just got to read the threads on this site, some actually think £7 pound per hour is a good wage. As for Maggie Thatcher, worst thing thats happened to the country never mind about the unions ! (you see what I mean total disagreement before you even start thinking about starting a drivers union)
dan dare:
As for Maggie Thatcher, worst thing thats happened to the country never mind about the unions ! (you see what I mean total disagreement before you even start thinking about starting a drivers union)
its called having an opinion ,if you think you will get a large group of people to all agree to the same thing you have no hope
never been in a union , had the need for one ,and possibly never will
the demise of most British industry’s was down to unions
join up as soon as possible any union will do ,if your on the road ,make sure you have legal cover(you have to pay extra for this) ,because if you have an accident even if it,s not your fault ,and the s~~t hits the fan the police will always go for the driver(easy target)and managers always back down when you mention union for 44p a day it,s worth it.
Agreed! URTU membership is worth it for the legal protection alone.
Unions aren’ t about strikes. It is so much better for us if, rather than being a lone voice in the wilderness, we can present a united front and negotiate decent, safe, fair terms and conditions. It is in our interest for employers and government to be able to talk to our democraticly elected, informed representatives. I think that employers and government would prefer it as well. If some drivers think that they are better off weaving and bobbing, working all hours, sacrificing family life and accepting any wages … then fair enough. That’s their business. But if we want to be professional, we need a professional bopdy to represent us.
Wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year
R