Who else does (or has done) holiday cover?

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
1

I’m currently doing holiday cover for our regular drivers on the P&O contract (my gaffer doesn’t like agencies). I’ve been promised by my employer that once another motor has been added to our fleet (supposed to be expanding with five trucks, with one being delivered this month), one of our longest serving drivers will get the brand new one, whilst I’ll get allocated his old one (17/67-plate Iveco Stralis HiWay). However, my gaffer keeps saying that he doesn’t know when the first unit will be delivered, and it’s been put on hold due to the current downturn of work. :imp:

I’m starting to get a bit fed up of cab-hopping and I’m weaning for my very own truck. :frowning:

Also, work in general has been deadly quiet for the last fortnight (traditional in this industry at this time of year :frowning: ) and have been sitting in the yard bored out of my skull (even though I did three days cover for a driver because his daughter had been diagnosed with a brain tumour). Even if there’s no work planned, I still have to turn up on “stand-by” in the yard.

I’m just hoping that there will be an upturn in work next week.

Has anybody done (or currently doing) holiday cover or experienced a similar situation written above?

Sorry for the moany post.

2

If they’re…

Paying you to sit on yer backside in the yard, I’d stick with it. Not many places will do that.

If I was your boss, I’d be naffed off with a dealership that can’t pin down a delivery date.

3

Do you get paid for turning up and being “on standby”?

4

Drempels:
Do you get paid for turning up and being “on standby”?

Yes I do (on salary).

5

Garbo2018:

Drempels:
Do you get paid for turning up and being “on standby”?

Yes I do (on salary).

Well enjoy it while you can! If/when you get your own motor, rest assured they won’t forget all the time you had sitting around :wink:

6

Are you not new to this place after being agency yourself around xmas? Seem very entitled to be demanding a 17/67 plate for yourself :unamused:

7

mrginge:
Are you not new to this place after being agency yourself around xmas? Seem very entitled to be demanding a 17/67 plate for yourself :unamused:

Our motors are replaced on a three-year lease (the 16-plates should be going this year).

8

yourhavingalarf:
If they’re…

Paying you to sit on yer backside in the yard, I’d stick with it. Not many places will do that.

If I was your boss, I’d be naffed off with a dealership that can’t pin down a delivery date.

I read it as the delivery was postponed by the haulier, due to work dropping off, rather than the dealer not being able to supply it?
But as you say, if Garbo is being paid to do nowt, although it is borin and frustrating, it`s better than not being paid if work is slack.

9

The haulier will still be charged for the postponement .
Certainly if it’s only a couple of weeks away from final delivery.

10

I tried a similar role last year for a 19 truck company and left after 5 weeks the time on the road was fine,but the other days just dragged so slowly.On paper the money and t&cs where the best I’ve ever had, but the rush hour commute boredom cold and pointless hanging around far out weighed the good bits

11

A couple of our drivers may be leaving us soon to join the tartan army (AKA Pollock’s), so hopefully should be getting my own unit!

12

I’ve never had my own unit for longer then 2 weeks. Cab hoping has never bothered me.
Then again I don’t tramp and Im not the type of guy that goes shopping for frilly curtains and ironic stickers on my day off. :stuck_out_tongue: