If you done your training on a drag and your test, then your a better driver than most artic drivers, if your manager doesn’t know this then it seems to be a personnel thing with him, fair play to you an artic will be a walk in the park for you.
Where i work there is class 2 drivers that go through this .I dont think it so much not trusting you in an artic bs , its replacing you if your a good driver etc , i guess just be patient but persistant , and as others have said use the “im off to a company that will give me a drive” chestnut . As for using your holidays for training is a bit naff ! Good luck …
So you’re being asked to use holiday, so you can drive a company vehicle, while the driver being paid to drive it, is in the passenger seat 
These must be the vital eu employment rights we keep hearing about 
My take on it is …They are taking the p***,out of you .If these people think its ok to use your holidays to drive a company vehicle,it must be Ok to do that a different way ,like have the time off work then do a bit time on agency…oh but no doubt the same people would then decide ,that isnt allowed …like as others have said here ,just go to a place that will put you on an artic.
nightline:
If you done your training on a drag and your test, then your a better driver than most artic drivers, if your manager doesn’t know this then it seems to be a personnel thing with him, fair play to you an artic will be a walk in the park for you.
Well im completely crap at wagon and drag,
leo.saphira:
Ffs get to wilko in Worksop ok a 40min drive from lincoln but it’s a start. They will get you out with trainer then let you loose. Jim is the gaffer (been a year since I went for a better wage but it’s a start - around £415 a week after tax in bank)Need any names/numbers give us a shout
I know its a start but where I work now is 40 minutes away and I earn more on Class 2.
Have you thought about just staying on your Class 2 work, is the artic job that much more money?
If you are content or happy with it, is it worth all the hassle, and if they have dug in their heels and still will not compromise, is it worth losing some of your holidays.
Not being funny mate but artics aint the ‘be all and end all’ especially if you are in a good Class 2 job that you know and like.
Could it be that they want rid of him after he came on here saying how bad they where for safety and he was going to shop them to the HSE a couple of months ago, it wouldn’t be the first company to get rid of someone this way
Agreed. He is very critical about his employers on here.
I would suggest it’s a way of getting shot without it costing them anything.
If the job is that bad go somewhere else, if you’re good enough that is.
Thanks for your opinions guys. The job itself isn’t that bad, sure the office is a bit pants but aren’t they all? The big sticking point is why I’m having to use my holiday for this when the company is crying out for Class 1 drivers, here I am, Class 1 in hand ready to go. I’m not that naive to just think they’d throw open the doors and put my straight on, saying that though, if these other drivers hadn’t of been put through and it was only me, the taking some holiday pill wouldn’t be so bitter to swallow. I’m not going to rock the boat any more now, I’ve already done that enough which might as some of you have pointed out be the reason for this response from them. I have a few days off this month, I’ll go around and see whats about.
I always had my Class 1 planned but I only really jumped on it when they started to cut down on Class 2 work. Our main contract started to close some of its stores, thats the reason why they moved the selected drivers over to Class 1. I wanted a way out in case zb hit the fan and the bottom fell out. But, at the end of the day I do enjoy my job and it does seem a silly idea to throw it all way because of some office politics.
I’m guessing that you really like your current employment or you would have already told them were to shove their offer and their job! Their attitude is pretty shocking IMO, they should be congratulating you for making the effort to gain your Class 1 not holding you back and penalising you for it!
There are plenty of other job opportunities in Lincolnshire but if you don’t want to change jobs you have no choice but to make the best of it within your current employment. I agree with what others have said that you have the stronger hand - you are a proven driver with two years experience with the company and familiar with the work and procedures, I would be tempted to enquire about time off to attend a Class 1 assessment, the suggestion in itself might be enough to give them the kick up the arse they obviously need or failing that just do whatever they want you to do in order to get yourself on Class 1 even if it means using holidays - the long term gain will outweigh the short term pain and it will mean that all the effort and money you spent in order to gain your Class 1 will not have been wasted. However if I was having to use holidays for training all the stress of doing so would probably bring on a two week bout of summer flu. 
Do you have a Union Representative that can speak on your behalf?
MickyB666:
I’m guessing that you really like your current employment or you would have already told them were to shove their offer and their job! Their attitude is pretty shocking IMO, they should be congratulating you for making the effort to gain your Class 1 not holding you back and penalising you for it!
There are plenty of other job opportunities in Lincolnshire but if you don’t want to change jobs you have no choice but to make the best of it within your current employment. I agree with what others have said that you have the stronger hand - you are a proven driver with two years experience with the company and familiar with the work and procedures, I would be tempted to enquire about time off to attend a Class 1 assessment, the suggestion in itself might be enough to give them the kick up the arse they obviously need or failing that just do whatever they want you to do in order to get yourself on Class 1 even if it means using holidays - the long term gain will outweigh the short term pain and it will mean that all the effort and money you spent in order to gain your Class 1 will not have been wasted. However if I was having to use holidays for training all the stress of doing so would probably bring on a two week bout of summer flu.
Do you have a Union Representative that can speak on your behalf?
Thing is, they haven’t actively said no. They just stipulated that I have to use my holiday. I’m not in a position to throw my weight around as I’m still new to driving having only just completed my two years experience on Class 2 and only being with the company for just over a year.
You are wrong Radar. You are ALWAYS in a position to not put up with having the ■■■■ taken out of you.
If you want to drive artics (which you have paid for), get yourself around local firms and mither the death out of them. I guarantee someone will give you a start. You aren’t that new to driving.
nightline:
If you done your training on a drag and your test, then your a better driver than most artic drivers, if your manager doesn’t know this then it seems to be a personnel thing with him, fair play to you an artic will be a walk in the park for you.
To be fair the C + E v class 1 licencing system just gives ammunition to the type of time wasting employers in the industry who like to set bs hurdles and pecking orders.
On that note ironically it was common for class 3 or 2 drivers to be discriminated against,regarding drawbar work,when class 3 or 2 actually mean’t drawbars and class 1 just mean’t artics,with the difference being apples and oranges regards their handling.
Although I’m guessing you’re referring to A frames in that regard,not the close coupled type which are damaging the credibility of the C + E licence for those who pass on ‘drawbars’. 
You could try a gamble and say “ok, you obviously don’t need artic drivers, so I’ll stick with the rigid.”
If you really want to raise the stakes, add “until I find a company that does want an artic driver.”
I can’t guarantee you it will work though, or it won’t make it worse, but life’s no fun without taking the odd risk.
Rjan:
“Discrimination” is not in general illegal, but it can amount to a breach of contract if the employer treats some members of the workforce in ways that are unjustifiably different from how others are treated. I believe the modern test is whether the employer’s conduct is “calculated to destroy trust and confidence”.But that will not apply here
It possibly ‘could’ have applied ‘if’ the employer is applying different conditions to different employees.However ‘if’ they are discriminating against a C + E licence obtained by passing on close coupled v others who’ve passed on artics in the case of an artic job.That’s a predictable flaw in the licencing system and a case of buyer beware in the case of drivers obtaining their own licences by passing on close coupled outfits.
As for drawbar v artic seniority ironically a class 2 driver with self taught ( A frame ) drawbar experience would probably make a better artic driver than a class 1 driver would make vice versa.But that isn’t how the employers or the licencing authorities saw it from the beginning of the licencing system when drawbar drivers found themselves relegated to class 3 or 2 status under grandfather rights. 
eagerbeaver:
You are wrong Radar. You are ALWAYS in a position to not put up with having the ■■■■ taken out of you.
Your man Beaver talks a lot of ■■■■■■■■, but this is a case of “never a truer word was spoken”. You don’t need to bend over for them, it seems to me they are taking the ■■■■ out of you because you are young.
Like he says, you are not that green, and you’ve done a test in a artic and a wagon and drag, so you are better off than most new passes I’d say. And you’ve got 2 years class 2 experience. You’re also clearly keen, go see what else is around where you are.
robroy:
Conor:
Can’t use holiday for training with the company who employs you because its not holiday and you’re not freely disposing of your time.I wouldn’t give a toss about whether it was legal from a driver’s hours pov, or any other reason.
I would be more concerned that they are doing me out of my holidays. Who tf in their right mind wants to go driving during holidays …and unpaid !
As for ‘maybe not being good enough’ what a [zb] insult, you are, you have been on Class 2 for years, and you have PASSED your Class 1…[zb] them mate.
Tell them to shove it up their arses, and look for another co. if they won’t put you on an artic go and work for a firm that will, there are plenty out there, and it will be their loss not yours.
This ^^^ 
woody2808:
robroy:
Conor:
Can’t use holiday for training with the company who employs you because its not holiday and you’re not freely disposing of your time.I wouldn’t give a toss about whether it was legal from a driver’s hours pov, or any other reason.
I would be more concerned that they are doing me out of my holidays. Who tf in their right mind wants to go driving during holidays …and unpaid !
As for ‘maybe not being good enough’ what a [zb] insult, you are, you have been on Class 2 for years, and you have PASSED your Class 1…[zb] them mate.
Tell them to shove it up their arses, and look for another co. if they won’t put you on an artic go and work for a firm that will, there are plenty out there, and it will be their loss not yours.This ^^^
Although maybe phrased a little more diplomatically!
Evil8Beezle:
woody2808:
robroy:
Conor:
Can’t use holiday for training with the company who employs you because its not holiday and you’re not freely disposing of your time.I wouldn’t give a toss about whether it was legal from a driver’s hours pov, or any other reason.
I would be more concerned that they are doing me out of my holidays. Who tf in their right mind wants to go driving during holidays …and unpaid !
As for ‘maybe not being good enough’ what a [zb] insult, you are, you have been on Class 2 for years, and you have PASSED your Class 1…[zb] them mate.
Tell them to shove it up their arses, and look for another co. if they won’t put you on an artic go and work for a firm that will, there are plenty out there, and it will be their loss not yours.This ^^^
Although maybe phrased a little more diplomatically!
You know me E8b, I don’t do diplomacy.
…So what did you end up doing?