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www.TruckNetUK.com Rikki Chequer, community manager of TruckNet UK, reports on current hot topics at the drIver forum.
Page 17
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This week on TruckNet UK, a couple of drivers ask whether it is worth joining a union. The replies, as would be expected, are varied.
Many agree that the days of strong unions dominating the industry are long gone, but say: "Free legal help was my incentive for joining." Another driver says: "I had two complaints about an agency I worked for, years ago. On both occasions the union I was (and still am) with got the problems sorted and I got money, which I was entitled to, out of the agency. I wouldn't have otherwise."
Another driver will have nothing to do with unions, saying: "It's better to paddle your own canoe these days; if the job don't suit, jump: I'm quite happy to represent myself if screw up."
Going even further, another TruckNet UK user says: "I have always been of the belief that unions became the very embodiment of what they were originally formed to fight against, ie the overbearing employer became the overbearing union — dragging workers out on strike whether they could afford it or not and crippling both companies and private lives in the process. I am very anti-union — always have been and always will be."
Driving with rose-tinted glasses may not be that safe. but some drivers are discussing whether, if they could, they would go back to the "good (bad) old days". Many miss the camaraderie they say is missing nowadays on the road.
"Although I still drive Euro, it's not the same as when If Irst started doing it. In those days it gave you a sense of achievement and pride in sorting out problems at borders, fixing the truck miles from anywhere and having some great evenings with some top blokes."
There are many more comments and memories from earlier days in the ongoing discussions at TruckNet UK,