Morale of AA drivers struck by proposals
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
I by Dominic Perry
round 200 drivers working for he AA fear that they will be arced to sign new contracts Mich, they claim, could slash heir income by £6,000 a year.
The drivers work for the AA ,elay arm of the organisation, ransporting stranded memers and cars to destinations.
The AA had been considering utsoureing its Recovery oper ation to save costs, but has decided to keep it in-house.
However, staff say morale has plunged after proposals to change their contracts were revealed: "To be honest a snake with its belly to the ground could walk over our level of morale, it's that low,' says one driver who has been with the firm for more than 20 years.
New terms and conditions would force drivers to work more overtime for less money.
Another driver comments: "It's an insult really—we've kept our end of the bargain, by working every hour that God sends and this is how they are rewarding us."
Internal AA documents suggest that the switch of contracts will save the company some t4.85m per year, but acknowledge that the move will "have a serious impact on employee morale''.
According to the AA: "The operation is being reviewed in order to make it more costeffective and better able to serve the particular needs of our members."
The OMB union, which represents the AA's drivers, says negotiations are at an early stage. It hopes the situation can be resolved amicably.