wner-drivers asking for 12%
Page 10
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by Miles Brignall • Owner-drivers working for Silentnight Beds fear for their futures if negotiations with the company over rates prove unsuccessful.
The drivers have not had an increase for the past four years and are looking for around a 12% increase, which is the average inflation level over the past three and a half years.
The 13 owner-drivers are currently paid 77p a mile, excluding diesel which the company provides, for what they calculate to be an 80-hour week. They often make more than 90 deliveries of beds to private addresses every week.
One disgruntled driver says that if the increase in rates is only 2% then he will have to think seriously about his future.
Drivers were paid a rate inclusive of diesel until four years ago, and with fuel prices about to go up, (see page 4), they say they are wary of any changes to pay structure.
Citing increased insurance premiums, the higher cost of maintenance and tyres, drivers claim that costs have been rising steadily while rates have stayed the same.
Silentnight transport manager Mike Molloy says the negotiations with the drivers was not a public matter.