are we becoming a nation of temporary workers? all you seem to see are agency jobs,although some of them seem to be ok its not the same as a proper job,look what happened to the mini car factory 800 jobs went just like that with no payout to the work force,agencies were supposed to be stop gaps for holiday,sick days etc but now seem to be main stream employers,also when you go to some of them they treat you like youve just past your test and dont know anything,you tell them what youve been doing and your experiences,but i dont think it sinks in,i think you can have to much experience ,have both cpcs national/international,speak abit of french,german,italian,can drive lhd/rhd trucks,cuts no ice,your it seems just a bum on a seat to fill in a gap,a number on their list of drivers,im thinking of going over the water,i still have friends over there and not 1 of them works for an agency,all have proper full time jobs,there are agencies in europe but they dont have the same grip as they do here,YET 
Employment law has caused alot of this, and, the added flexibility it gives employers. It has become almost impossible to sack anyone, so, if you have dead wood causing problems, you need to have your “get rid” policy water tight, unless you have agency workers, then, you only need to make one phone call, and its “don`t send that ■■■■ again”…simples !!!
Also, the cost of employing someone is prohibitive, and rising, an agency bod on the otherhand, is a fixed cost [if controlled properly], its also just an invoice at the end of the day, tax deductable 
.
And, when its busy, send in the boys/girls, and when it goes Q.T., don`t send them in, it beats having staff costing a fortune doing nothing.
If an agency treats you as a number, your with the wrong outfit, you need a “HGV” specialised, with people who understand the business, not chancers+wideboys, it really does make a difference IMO.
The other thing, we need to get used to it, it ain`t going away 
Employment law has caused alot of this, and, the added flexibility it gives employers. It has become almost impossible to sack anyone, so, if you have dead wood causing problems, you need to have your “get rid” policy water tight, unless you have agency workers, then, you only need to make one phone call, and its “don`t send that ■■■■ again”…simples !!!
Also, the cost of employing someone is prohibitive, and rising, an agency bod on the otherhand, is a fixed cost [if controlled properly], its also just an invoice at the end of the day, tax deductable .
And, when its busy, send in the boys/girls, and when it goes Q.T., don`t send them in, it beats having staff costing a fortune doing nothing.
If an agency treats you as a number, your with the wrong outfit, you need a “HGV” specialised, with people who understand the business, not chancers+wideboys, it really does make a difference IMO.
The other thing, we need to get used to it, it ain`t going away
Unfortuneately many companies are using more agency drivers than before. It is an easy way to cut wage costs without laying staff off. When a driver leaves, it is a good time to cut your wage bill by only paying for the work that is done, no employers NI, no holiday or sick pay, no paying people to stand around and scratch thier butts when work is slack. It’s called flexible working. It’s time to stop thinking about agency workers as people who can’t get a “proper job” and realising that "proper jobs are getting harder to find.
If you want to earn money through the agencies, try first talking to other agency drivers, find out what they think about the agency they work for, RDC waiting rooms are the best place for this. Sign on for one or two at a time only, don’t try playing one off against the other or both will drop you. If you have problems with one, drop them and try another. Be flexible but don’t let them walk all over you. tell them what shifts you will work, for example any start time after 4am and before 12 noon, mon to sat or will do weekends. Dont be afraid to say “no” if they offer something that is not suitable to you, if you are a good driver, and they are a decent agency, they won’t want to lose you. treat them as you would like them to treat you, and if they dont, move to another one.
We need to get used to the flexible working system, because I think it is here for the long term.
i understand what folk are saying but i think ive just been shafted,after nearly 2 years agency pulls plug on job in feb!!! a known bad month for work and then dont pay me because they not paid,that would leave a sour taste in anyones mouth,ive tried to show abit of loyalty and look what i got for it,have been ringing round,work about but same answers,in a week or so, 
ken57:
i understand what folk are saying but i think ive just been shafted,after nearly 2 years agency pulls plug on job in feb!!! a known bad month for work and then dont pay me because they not paid,that would leave a sour taste in anyones mouth,ive tried to show abit of loyalty and look what i got for it,have been ringing round,work about but same answers,in a week or so,
If you are employed by the agency, they can not withhold your wages because they have not been paid. you forfilled your part of the contract, they must forfill thiers, inform them that you will be charging interest at bank rate + 5% to cover your overdraught charges, and that you require paywith a set number of days, if not you will make a claim against them in the small claims court. This will not cost you much, but if the agency lose, they will have a bad stain on any future credit rating.
did the agency pull the plug or was it the company? Were they being pressurised into providing drivers at unrealistic rates? Agencies have to make money just as any business does, if they can’t then why continue with a contract? Problem is a lot of agencies will offer drivers £7.50 an hour take it or leave it, and there is always somebody desparate enough to take it. if every driver told them what to do with it, they would not have drivers, the transport companies would have loads with no drivers, and the rates might, just might start to go up again.
truckerjon:
ken57:
i understand what folk are saying but i think ive just been shafted,after nearly 2 years agency pulls plug on job in feb!!! a known bad month for work and then dont pay me because they not paid,that would leave a sour taste in anyones mouth,ive tried to show abit of loyalty and look what i got for it,have been ringing round,work about but same answers,in a week or so,If you are employed by the agency, they can not withhold your wages because they have not been paid. you forfilled your part of the contract, they must forfill thiers, inform them that you will be charging interest at bank rate + 5% to cover your overdraught charges, and that you require paywith a set number of days, if not you will make a claim against them in the small claims court. This will not cost you much, but if the agency lose, they will have a bad stain on any future credit rating.
did the agency pull the plug or was it the company? Were they being pressurised into providing drivers at unrealistic rates? Agencies have to make money just as any business does, if they can’t then why continue with a contract? Problem is a lot of agencies will offer drivers £7.50 an hour take it or leave it, and there is always somebody desparate enough to take it. if every driver told them what to do with it, they would not have drivers, the transport companies would have loads with no drivers, and the rates might, just might start to go up again.
Luckily I’m one of those drivers that won’t work for below a set wage! I’m a hard worker and I deserve a decent wage for it. Depending on how things go I might end up leaving haulage in the latter part of this year unless I’m offered a full time job.
Adam_Mc:
truckerjon:
ken57:
i understand what folk are saying but i think ive just been shafted,after nearly 2 years agency pulls plug on job in feb!!! a known bad month for work and then dont pay me because they not paid,that would leave a sour taste in anyones mouth,ive tried to show abit of loyalty and look what i got for it,have been ringing round,work about but same answers,in a week or so,If you are employed by the agency, they can not withhold your wages because they have not been paid. you forfilled your part of the contract, they must forfill thiers, inform them that you will be charging interest at bank rate + 5% to cover your overdraught charges, and that you require paywith a set number of days, if not you will make a claim against them in the small claims court. This will not cost you much, but if the agency lose, they will have a bad stain on any future credit rating.
did the agency pull the plug or was it the company? Were they being pressurised into providing drivers at unrealistic rates? Agencies have to make money just as any business does, if they can’t then why continue with a contract? Problem is a lot of agencies will offer drivers £7.50 an hour take it or leave it, and there is always somebody desparate enough to take it. if every driver told them what to do with it, they would not have drivers, the transport companies would have loads with no drivers, and the rates might, just might start to go up again.Luckily I’m one of those drivers that won’t work for below a set wage! I’m a hard worker and I deserve a decent wage for it. Depending on how things go I might end up leaving haulage in the latter part of this year unless I’m offered a full time job.
Don`t hold your breath Adam, its going to get alot tougher, before it gets remotely better…And, where do you propose going for this “job” outside “haulage” ■■?
I`m getting loads of “non” driving mates asking about taking their “Class One”, and, would I point them in the right direction FFS…
As Johnny Bristol sang in the 70s, “Hang on in there baby” 
Stanley Mitchell:
I`m getting loads of “non” driving mates asking about taking their “Class One”, and, would I point them in the right direction FFS…As Johnny Bristol sang in the 70s, “Hang on in there baby”
Same here, and they all assume that class 1 drivers are on about £20 an hour!
Of course they do, thats what they were told the last time that they had the Sun read to them.Glad Im not a young guy starting out now.
Stanley Mitchell:
Adam_Mc:
truckerjon:
ken57:
i understand what folk are saying but i think ive just been shafted,after nearly 2 years agency pulls plug on job in feb!!! a known bad month for work and then dont pay me because they not paid,that would leave a sour taste in anyones mouth,ive tried to show abit of loyalty and look what i got for it,have been ringing round,work about but same answers,in a week or so,If you are employed by the agency, they can not withhold your wages because they have not been paid. you forfilled your part of the contract, they must forfill thiers, inform them that you will be charging interest at bank rate + 5% to cover your overdraught charges, and that you require paywith a set number of days, if not you will make a claim against them in the small claims court. This will not cost you much, but if the agency lose, they will have a bad stain on any future credit rating.
did the agency pull the plug or was it the company? Were they being pressurised into providing drivers at unrealistic rates? Agencies have to make money just as any business does, if they can’t then why continue with a contract? Problem is a lot of agencies will offer drivers £7.50 an hour take it or leave it, and there is always somebody desparate enough to take it. if every driver told them what to do with it, they would not have drivers, the transport companies would have loads with no drivers, and the rates might, just might start to go up again.Luckily I’m one of those drivers that won’t work for below a set wage! I’m a hard worker and I deserve a decent wage for it. Depending on how things go I might end up leaving haulage in the latter part of this year unless I’m offered a full time job.
Don`t hold your breath Adam, its going to get alot tougher, before it gets remotely better…And, where do you propose going for this “job” outside “haulage” ■■?
I`m getting loads of “non” driving mates asking about taking their “Class One”, and, would I point them in the right direction FFS…
As Johnny Bristol sang in the 70s, “Hang on in there baby”
Not sure where I’d go but if Sainsbury’s won’t employ me directly then there’s no point in me staying in Haulage…don’t get me wrong, come the end of JUN/JUL I wont just leave but that’s when I’ll start looking for a different career and as soon as something else comes along, then I’ll leave.
I’ve been doing agency work for a few years now and I’ve had enough. I’m earning reasonable money but not spending a lot of time at home what with unsociable start times and the bias towards weekend working these days. I went for a couple of jobs last week and got the call from one this morning offering me the job. An unexpected bonus was they’ve upped the money by £1,700. I won’t be earning as much as the agency but I’ll be working Mon-Fri on day work job and knock as it’s salaried. It’s closer to home and it’s my side of the river so about 30 mins travelling. It’s also not trolley dolly work and I won’t miss that!
adam mc is your agency at sainsburys saying you need your dcpc to work there,mine is saying that from end feb thats what sainburys want.
Adam_Mc:
if Sainsbury’s won’t employ me directly then there’s no point in me staying in Haulage…
What’s so special about driving for Sainsbury’s ? 
mac12:
adam mc is your agency at sainsburys saying you need your dcpc to work there,mine is saying that from end feb thats what sainburys want.
Nope…but I don’t want to be one of those drivers who has to do the whole CPC in one go in a couple of years for the price of remortgaging a house, so I done my first module last year.
tachograph:
Adam_Mc:
if Sainsbury’s won’t employ me directly then there’s no point in me staying in Haulage…What’s so special about driving for Sainsbury’s ?
Basic salary of 36k pa for a 48 hour week is whats so special about them…I can’t find another haulier that pays like that unless I’m prepared to drive hours for it, which I’m not. With Sainsbury’s the work is easy, relatively clean and I’m home every night.
Adam_Mc:
mac12:
adam mc is your agency at sainsburys saying you need your dcpc to work there,mine is saying that from end feb thats what sainburys want.Nope…but I don’t want to be one of those drivers who has to do the whole CPC in one go in a couple of years for the price of remortgaging a house, so I done my first module last year.
tachograph:
Adam_Mc:
if Sainsbury’s won’t employ me directly then there’s no point in me staying in Haulage…What’s so special about driving for Sainsbury’s ?
Basic salary of 36k pa for a 48 hour week is whats so special about them…I can’t find another haulier that pays like that unless I’m prepared to drive hours for it, which I’m not. With Sainsbury’s the work is easy, relatively clean and I’m home every night.
is that what they get,36k for 48 hrs,zb hell, why cant they build one near me 
Adam_Mc:
mac12:
adam mc is your agency at sainsburys saying you need your dcpc to work there,mine is saying that from end feb thats what sainburys want.Nope…but I don’t want to be one of those drivers who has to do the whole CPC in one go in a couple of years for the price of remortgaging a house, so I done my first module last year.
tachograph:
Adam_Mc:
if Sainsbury’s won’t employ me directly then there’s no point in me staying in Haulage…What’s so special about driving for Sainsbury’s ?
Basic salary of 36k pa for a 48 hour week is whats so special about them…I can’t find another haulier that pays like that unless I’m prepared to drive hours for it, which I’m not. With Sainsbury’s the work is easy, relatively clean and I’m home every night.
is that right 14.42 p.h ,nigh on double what i get
mac12:
adam mc is your agency at sainsburys saying you need your dcpc to work there,mine is saying that from end feb thats what sainburys want.
If you passed your test before sept 2009, then you do already have the DCPC through grand father rights. you need to renew it before sept. 2014.
If any agency or company turn you down for employment because you “do not have a CPC” before sept 2014, then they are wrong. They could leave themselves open under the equal opportunities act, which specifically regulates against discrimination in the work place. after sept 2014, they are legally obliged to only employ drivers with a CPC card that show that the driver has taken the neccessary vocational training during the previous 5 years.
anyone who passed the test after sept 2009, should have taken the DCPC as part of thier training, and will need to renew it within 5 years of passing the test.
You already have the DCPC!
ken57:
are we becoming a nation of temporary workers? all you seem to see are agency jobs,although some of them seem to be ok its not the same as a proper job,look what happened to the mini car factory 800 jobs went just like that with no payout to the work force,agencies were supposed to be stop gaps for holiday,sick days etc but now seem to be main stream employers,also when you go to some of them they treat you like youve just past your test and dont know anything,you tell them what youve been doing and your experiences,but i dont think it sinks in,i think you can have to much experience ,have both cpcs national/international,speak abit of french,german,italian,can drive lhd/rhd trucks,cuts no ice,your it seems just a bum on a seat to fill in a gap,a number on their list of drivers,im thinking of going over the water,i still have friends over there and not 1 of them works for an agency,all have proper full time jobs,there are agencies in europe but they dont have the same grip as they do here,YET
Employment has gone the way of other things in life, pay as you go mobile phones, MP3 players, you pay for what you want and nothing more.
Adam_Mc:
Basic salary of 36k pa for a 48 hour week is whats so special about them…
Better than average but nothing outstanding when you consider you’ll be working 4 weekends in a row.