You couldn’t make it up!! (16 Viewers)

[Liquid Gold]

Cheap foreign labour suppressing the wages of British workers in a dangerous job with dreadful work conditions. About time the big firms started paying drivers what they're worth and then maybe they'd be able to attract people into that industry.

I assume you voted for the £10 per hour minimum wage party last time out then yeah?

 

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[skybluetony176]

the link I’ve provided says it’s about the same as Germany and the German shortage will be exceeding the U.K. in tbe future

Germany has about half the shortage of the UK, about 14M more people to fill the void and the benefit of FOM from to make up short term gaps. No one is in more shit than us.

 

[Grendel]

I assume you voted for the £10 per hour minimum wage party last time out then yeah?

most Eu workers in rather low skilled vocations don’t get the minimum wage which is why they are employed

 

[clint van damme]

If it’s a factor then that must mean we are very good wages compared to other countries like Germany and France? Also surely it means cross border demand post Brexit hasn’t really been impacted as vacancies remain?

Well it's a factor because when you've already got severe shortages and you remove thousands of drivers from an already decreasing pool its going to have an affect.

 

[Marty]

I assume you voted for the £10 per hour minimum wage party last time out then yeah?

I assume you only shop at places that pay above £10 per hour, yeah?

 

[skybluetony176]

I assume you only shop at places that pay above £10 per hour, yeah?

Is that even an option?

 

[Marty]

Is that even an option?

Of course it is, if you're that bothered about it, shop at places that pay their staff proper wages.

 

[clint van damme]

I’ll believe it when I see it in writing dude. I asked them if it’s because they’re panicking, they assure me not. A pick up in wages probably isn’t the answer but it’s a start I guess. They still need to equal the benefits and conditions between administrative staff and drivers. You’ve got pertemps offering free license acquisition but they’ll trap you in a two year contract. But I still credit them as it’s the getting started which is the expensive bit. I went through what’s basically a broker to get my license, very big mistake. Paying about 3 times what it’s worth.

There's a big testing back log now due to covid as well.

 

[skybluetony176]

Of course it is, if you're that bothered about it, shop at places that pay their staff proper wages.

Like where?

 

[Marty]

Like where?

If the big chains don't, then shop local.

 

[skybluetony176]

There's a big testing back log now due to covid as well.

Takes a week to train as a HGV driver (assuming you pass first time). 100 new drivers a week would take 100 years to train enough drivers to make up our shortcomings. It’s not a case of if we offer visas to foreign drivers it’s a case of how long it takes the government to backtrack.

 

[skybluetony176]

If the big chains don't, then shop local.

So nowhere then.

 

[Marty]

So nowhere then.

Supporting local businesses or mutli-nationals who under pay workers. By shopping at those stores you're only supporting low wages.

 

[Evo1883]

Just seen an article of shitbook that states HGV training courses are in serious demand right now as people are trying train up ... so hopefully some relief on the way

 

[Evo1883]

Takes a week to train as a HGV driver (assuming you pass first time). 100 new drivers a week would take 100 years to train enough drivers to make up our shortcomings. It’s not a case of if we offer visas to foreign drivers it’s a case of how long it takes the government to backtrack.

They could also get some former drivers back into work by scrapping the ridiculously pointless CPC training required every 5 years .. which costs a pretty penny and quite literally teaches you to suck eggs

 

[clint van damme]

Just seen an article of shitbook that states HGV training courses are in serious demand right now as people are trying train up ... so hopefully some relief on the way

Passing the test used to be the first hurdle, getting someone to give you a chance was the next, and bigger one.
They'll be giving people starts as soon as they leave the testing centre at this rate.

 

[skybluetony176]

Supporting local businesses or mutli-nationals who under pay workers. By shopping at those stores you're only supporting low wages.

Retail only pays low wages. The only high ground you can take is that supporting local business over corporate multinationals is that local business probably isn’t involved in tax avoidance.

Still doesn’t answer the original question. Where can you shop that pays more than £10 an hour? You can’t. Simple as. Probably why I voted for raising the minimum wage above £10.

 

[Evo1883]

There is some serious money to be made even on 46 hour weeks .

Some companies message me every day offering 16-22 pounds an hour or more .

Basically 1000 a week before tax

I actually prefer the job I have

 

[Evo1883]

 

[Tommo1993]

Passing the test used to be the first hurdle, getting someone to give you a chance was the next, and bigger one.
They'll be giving people starts as soon as they leave the testing centre at this rate.

100% correct. I only got in because I was already working for them on a different contract. All the other HGV companies I spoke to beforehand really didn’t want a new young driver.

 

[Evo1883]

They are even including ADR training in the jobs too ...unheard of

(Dangerous goods basically )

 

[Evo1883]

100% correct. I only got in because I was already working for them on a different contract. All the other HGV companies I spoke to beforehand really didn’t want a new young driver.

Can't believe we both drive lorries ..it's almost like we are meant to be

 

[skybluetony176]

They could also get some former drivers back into work by scrapping the ridiculously pointless CPC training required every 5 years .. which costs a pretty penny and quite literally teaches you to suck eggs

Yeah, agree100% with that.

When I worked in the building trade I used to have to keep my CITB card up to date and take a regular test. It was pointless, got asked to show it once in the ten years after they became compulsory and the test was random questions covering all trades and every time I took the test I never got asked anything relevant to my trade or the environment I worked in. It was bollocks, pointless and a license to print money.

 

[Tommo1993]

View attachment 21657

I hear there’s a lot in car transporting. I’d need my C+E first.

 

[Tommo1993]

Can't believe we both drive lorries ..it's almost like we are meant to be

Kindred spirits my little pumpkin

 

[Evo1883]

I hear there’s a lot in car transporting. I’d need my C+E first.

I have it , I just don't wanna do it ..

Long unsociable hours , love my job now and the work/ life balance that 4 days a week gives..

Where you at now ?

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Have been told to expect a rise starting this month, but the company I work for (a globally well known one) is still so far behind the curve with regards to drivers pay and conditions.

Given the current position maybe now would be a good time to look elsewhere at what other people will offer you if your current employer is lagging behind. Drivers should have a pretty strong hand at the moment.

 

[skybluetony176]

They are even including ADR training in the jobs too ...unheard of

(Dangerous goods basically )

I did some ADR training a few years ago for my current job, it was basically teaching you how to read the books. So much info, so many UN codes, fortunately I only work with a handful of codes and all the same class. Much more difficult for a driver so I assume as well as the training you get more money for being ADR?

 

[Tommo1993]

I have it , I just don't wanna do it ..

Long unsociable hours , love my job now and the work/ life balance that 4 days a week gives..

Where you at now ?

Based up near the Cov airport mate. I’d prefer to clear my license first, but as you’ve pointed out the cons of having Class 1, it really doesn’t appeal. It never really has either. All of them I speak to seem naturally pissed off. Living temporarily in a cab (not in all cases, granted). Nah. Just no.

 

[Tommo1993]

Given the current position maybe now would be a good time to look elsewhere at what other people will offer you if your current employer is lagging behind. Drivers should have a pretty strong hand at the moment.

Tbf, as much as my current job winds me right up, I think I’d look at a different industry if this work was to dry up. This used to be my fallback, if the last job I had went tits up I’d use this license as a lifeline and that’s exactly what happened. I’ve got my bus license too, did that for about 14 months a few years back. Hated it. But I guess that’s another fallback.

Agree about drivers having a strong hand. I don’t think enough of us act like it though.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Tbf, as much as my current job winds me right up, I think I’d look at a different industry if this work was to dry up. This used to be my fallback, if the last job I had went tits up I’d use this license as a lifeline and that’s exactly what happened. I’ve got my bus license too, did that for about 14 months a few years back. Hated it. But I guess that’s another fallback.

Agree about drivers having a strong hand. I don’t think enough of us act like it though.

Fair enough. Just thought if it's not a job you're enjoying at least get paid more and get better conditions for doing it.

Is a real shame there are certain people who seem to undervalue themselves, whereas others who do stuff that isn't particularly important seem to think what they do is vital and unbelievably difficult and they should be paid a fortune for doing it.

 

[Evo1883]

I did some ADR training a few years ago for my current job, it was basically teaching you how to read the books. So much info, so many UN codes, fortunately I only work with a handful of codes and all the same class. Much more difficult for a driver so I assume as well as the training you get more money for being ADR?

Some jobs you do some don't.. driving is weird like that ..such a huge fluctuation In what one company pays to the next

 

[Evo1883]

Tbf, as much as my current job winds me right up, I think I’d look at a different industry if this work was to dry up. This used to be my fallback, if the last job I had went tits up I’d use this license as a lifeline and that’s exactly what happened. I’ve got my bus license too, did that for about 14 months a few years back. Hated it. But I guess that’s another fallback.

Agree about drivers having a strong hand. I don’t think enough of us act like it though.

Get on the bins mate if you ever fancy change easy as shit , guaranteed finish times but mostly finish earlier and 4 days a week .. just have to go through the agency first sadly.. and it's a good laugh

Great pension too

Always hiring , best driving job I've ever had

 

[Tommo1993]

Get on the bins mate easy as shit , guaranteed finish times but mostly finish earlier and 4 days a week .. just have to go through the agency first sadly.. and it's a good laugh

Always hiring , best driving job I've ever had

You know what, that has passed through my mind a few times recently. Some gobshite who recently jumped before he was pushed from where I am now, told me it was the worst. I can’t imagine it being as tough as he made out.

Where I am now isn’t terrible. You just always wonder if you’re truly being mugged off.

 

[JAM See]

Fair enough. Just thought if it's not a job you're enjoying at least get paid more and get better conditions for doing it.

Is a real shame there are certain people who seem to undervalue themselves, whereas others who do stuff that isn't particularly important seem to think what they do is vital and unbelievably difficult and they should be paid a fortune for doing it.

Do you not realise how difficult management consultancy is?

And we have to survive on a mere £3K a week.