Unite claims four firms are abusing WTD rules
Page 4
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
By Chris Tindall UNITE HAS ALLEGED that up to four East Anglian haulage firms have been abusing their drivers by regularly making them break Working Time Directive (WTD) regulations.
Unite has made claims that the hauliers, which it has not named, are alleged to have forced drivers to work 80-hour weeks, every week. It also alleges that night-time working conditions, such as providing health checks, have been flouted.
In one case, Unite claims a driver contacted his company after driving for 12 hours and told it he was too tired to drive any further.
The union says the company apparently ordered him to drive for another two hours and that he was dismissed when he refused.
Regional officer Mark Plumb says Unite will be raising the claims with shadow transport minister Maria Eagle on 22 May – as CM went to press.
Unite tells CM the claims have not been raised with the Office of the Traffic Commissioner.
Plumb says he welcomes some dialogue with the companies Unite claims are carrying out these supposed breaches of the WTD – which sets a maximum working week of 48 hours – and is keen to ensure any abuses are resolved.
He adds that a dialogue has been conducted on an individual basis with the hauliers and drivers at the centre of the claims, but he would like an open dialogue with all the hauliers with claims made against them to talk about the collective issues.
Plumb says there are particular concerns that drivers are being asked to take their breaks when vehicles are being loaded or unloaded.
Unite wants Eagle to agree to look into the claims.