Delivered to Tesco Purfleet (31/8/05) In & Out 1/2 Hour Plus Saw Drivers in Cabs
Delivered to the new RDC at Barlborough last night, just off M1 J30 (Chesterfield Distribution Centre is its official name).
I arrived on site at 0015 and was put straight on a bay. It was 0245 before my notes were ready for collection and my keys handed back, a period of 2hrs 30mins.
Flatly refused to wait in my cab and was told to wait in here :
(All drinks 21p)
Toilet facilities were clean and excellent :
The hard plastic chairs were very uncomfortable and the benches were even worse. I hardly think that the “accomodation” provided as depicted above is suitable to be called a driver’s rest room, to quote the title on the other side of the door.
No mention was made about the canteen facilites when handing in paperwork and keys, so it’s existance wasn’t discovered until enquired about. Luckily hot food was still being served and we (4 of us) were all told that we could use the canteen facilities if we wished to do so.
It is also worth noting that two container driver’s who regularly deliver to Tesco RDC’s inform the goods in office that they will be disconnecting the unit from the trailer whilst it is being tipped and claim to have never experienced any problems doing this. It was interesting to note that both their containers were being tipped together and as you can just see on the overview picture above, the units (or at least one of them) are parked separately away from the trailers.
There shouldn’t be any problems with a driver disconnecting the unit from the trailer, they load their own trailers like it all the time, and that is a lot safer than letting some office wally have possession of the vehicle keys any day. IMHO
This having to remain in their ‘restroom’ and giving them the keys malarky - isn’t this intimidation, black mail and or false imprisonment ■■ No crap about so called H&S thanks. 
I do not deliver to them now, but what it needs is someone to walk in with a sleeping bag or quilt and lie down and go to sleep for a couple of hours.
Dafman:
I do not deliver to them now, but what it needs is someone to walk in with a sleeping bag or quilt and lie down and go to sleep for a couple of hours.
Jobs yours. 
Dafman:
I do not deliver to them now, but what it needs is someone to walk in with a sleeping bag or quilt and lie down and go to sleep for a couple of hours.
Sounds like a job for me, lie down, wrapped in the quilt, my thermos mug of coffee to hand and a book to read. Sorted. I would use a hi viz quilt of course
WHAT right do they have to impose this mental and pysical stress on a person who has to maybe drive their vehicle on the roads where they may or may not be fit tocary out the duties asigned them, after being so badly treated
Why do they not use a system where when put into operation the driver may repose in the cabin of the vehicle if they so wish,
1, USE automatic wheelchocks which lock the axles of the trailer and canonly be freed by the workers from the delivery point,
2, PLACE a sign in front of the vehicle which shows to the driver that
he is still refused perrmission to move his vehicle,
3.REMOVE both the air-lines from the trailer and fit a device which will
prevent the airlines being refitted with out permission .
by doing these actions no one then is required to surrender the keys of the vehicle,
NOW when this actions are carried out and allowed then it will make it easyier for those persons in charge of the RDC,s as regards the H&S
aspect,IF one the other hand this is not what happens then the places where a DRIVER has to wait for release of the vehicle must be made
more plesant and of a higher standard with those facilities present that
a person requres when haveing to endure this action,
Dafman:
I do not deliver to them now, but what it needs is someone to walk in with a sleeping bag or quilt and lie down and go to sleep for a couple of hours.
Funny you should say that. I’ve already contemplated handing in my paperwork and, when they ask for the keys, explaining that I have to go back to the vehicle because “I need to get my mattress, my pillow and my bag before I settle down on your floor”.
And I will not be joking.
Just don’t kick me when I snore.
LOL ! Oh well…I did actually sit on the ground outside my truck reading a book for two hours once in Tesco Purfleet. I thought it was my right to guard my vehichle off course !
I did get some funny looks but lots of smiles from other drivers, and I bet they were chuffed to see me prove the point.
■■
Jo
check this site out verylittlehelps.com and have a read of the moans from some of tescos own staff
Another site visit today worthy of a comment for Barrie’s ever increasing portfolio.
Went to Tesco Crick today. Now this place is one where unloading is done outside by FLT’s off the side of your truck, ie. you have to open the curtains for them and move the supports about and stuff; very similar to the craic at Morrisons J41. There didn’t appear to be an indoor waiting area for driver’s at all, just a window to hand your notes in through and a coffee machine; no seats.
I did notice a, er, notice stuck to the glass window at goods-in stating that visiting driver’s are not allowed to use the site canteen facilities. However, it went on to say that should your wait exceed 4 hours you will be escorted to the canteen and given a free hot meal.
Hope that helps.
I always enjoy going to Crick cos there’s no hassle and you can sit in the cab when you’re not swinging in the curtains.
■■
Jo
Mozzies jcn 41 … God went there the other night only in there 40 mins but that was enough … jesus whata dump …
Well after being ever so smug and full of self impotence sorry (importance) Our driver rep told us today that we have had a memo.
To all our prefered suppliers 
We now operate a system at all our depots that require the drivers to drop their trailers and then park in the designated area. They are then required to hand in their keys and avail themselves of our facilities in the wating area.
I havent seen this memo, and I cannot wait until I turn up as a prefered supplier
Wheel Nut:
Well after being ever so smug and full of self impotence sorry (importance) Our driver rep told us today that we have had a memo.To all our prefered suppliers
We now operate a system at all our depots that require the drivers to drop their trailers and then park in the designated area. They are then required to hand in their keys and avail themselves of our facilities in the wating area.I havent seen this memo, and I cannot wait until I turn up as a prefered supplier
Wh ythe hell if you have dropped the trailer do you have to hand in the keys■■? and what company is this?
TheBear:
Wheel Nut:
Well after being ever so smug and full of self impotence sorry (importance) Our driver rep told us today that we have had a memo.To all our prefered suppliers
We now operate a system at all our depots that require the drivers to drop their trailers and then park in the designated area. They are then required to hand in their keys and avail themselves of our facilities in the wating area.I havent seen this memo, and I cannot wait until I turn up as a prefered supplier
Wh ythe hell if you have dropped the trailer do you have to hand in the keys■■? and what company is this?
apparently it has come from Tesco The thing is, we only deliver wine from France so how we can be a preferred supplier Im not sure. As I said I havent seen the memo, it was just a comment from the driver rep.
As David said, Can I go to bed yet Nanny?
I have spoken to my insurance company about the issue of leaving keys with a Tesco employee and then leaving vehicle unattended .
They have informed me that there is a ‘reasonable care’ clause, whereby the insurer may reject a claim on the grounds of the policyholder being ‘reckless’ in not safeguarding the vehicle.
It is arguable whether leaving the keys to £ 100,000 worth of truck and trailer to a Tesco minion on minimum wage is reckless.
If I return to my vehicle and find that either TV , microwave , passport , wallet etc are missing or the front corner of unit has been removed by a departing trailer, I do not feel that Tesco would hold their hands up and admit liability.
Maybe we should get them to sign a form admitting responsibility for the vehicle whilst it is in their care before handing over keys and going to the waiting area. ■■
david1686:
I.Maybe we should get them to sign a form admitting responsibility for the vehicle whilst it is in their care before handing over keys and going to the waiting area. ■■
This has been suggested before and I heartily agree with it. But, if they flatly refuse and you stand your ground they may turn you round. In such a case it is highly unlikely you would be backed up by your boss.
So, if you are ready for another job fair enough, but if not that is a problem.
As Baz has said if RHA & FTA members stood firm things would change, but I hope no-one is holding their breath. Having served on governing bodies in both organisations I know how little the drivers’ position is appreciated and understood.
Salut, David.
At a cash and carry in swansea (sorry cant remember the name as its been a long time since ive been there) there was a big sign on an outside building saying DRIVERS TOILETS and as i needed a number 2 it was a most welcomed sign…
I was horrified however that there was no doors on the cubicles no door frames either it wasnt that the doors were broken off or missing these facilities were purposly built with a blatent disregard for drivers privacy.
I was ruddy furious (and really really needed a #2) so i went to the warehouse and asked how long to be tipped, FLT man said “ooooohhhh its gonna be at least an hour or so yet…”
So i said stick it up u’r A**E closed my curtains and drove off still with their stock onboard …
got a bit of stick off my office but when i explained why they had to agree they probably would have done the same.
I didnt get asked (or told) to go back either …
i will find out the name and i will name and shame just cant for the life of me think at the mo…
Reef:
At a cash and carry in swansea (sorry cant remember the name as its been a long time since ive been there) there was a big sign on an outside building saying DRIVERS TOILETS and as i needed a number 2 it was a most welcomed sign…
I was horrified however that there was no doors on the cubicles no door frames either it wasnt that the doors were broken off or missing these facilities were purposly built with a blatent disregard for drivers privacy.
I was ruddy furious (and really really needed a #2) so i went to the warehouse and asked how long to be tipped, FLT man said “ooooohhhh its gonna be at least an hour or so yet…”
So i said stick it up u’r A**E closed my curtains and drove off still with their stock onboard …
got a bit of stick off my office but when i explained why they had to agree they probably would have done the same.
I didnt get asked (or told) to go back either …
i will find out the name and i will name and shame just cant for the life of me think at the mo…
Costco’s probably. That’s the kind of thing to be found at their RDC’s or might be Bestway’s.