UNREASONABLE BEHAVIOUR • After watching the recent Watchdog programme about the haulage industry I felt compelled to write.
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I hold an HGV Class I drivers licence and, although faced with all the usual problems of finding employment and so on, I'd like to tell you about my last employer, who sacked me after 21 months.
He had one HGV, a Mercedes 1617, on an own-account Operator's Licence, which meant that he did not require a transport manager with a Certificate of Professional Competence.
I had to face many problems with breakdowns on regular runs throughout the UK. It was far cheaper for my employer to pay for the breakdown call-out than to put the vehicle in for regular services.
On two occasions I had to have an argument about replacing tyres which he felt were safe, while I disagreed. In the end I would win by refusing to take out the vehicle.
Unfortunately this all came to an end this year when I came to work on a Monday morning and I found that the lorry was very heavy. About 300 yards from our depot there was a weighbridge, and 1 went and had the vehicle weighed. It grossed at more than 19 tonnes and I took it back to my depot and refused to move it until it was made legal. My employer fired me and gave me a week's notice.
I found that I could take no action against my employer as I had been in employment for less than two years.
I would like to know how such operators can run their vehicles without the profes
sional staff required.
I know that you cannot judge all companies in the same way, and this may only be an individual case, but I am sure that there are similar employers operating out there.
Unless the Licensing Authorities look at such people who operate without professional personnel, then I feel the trend will continue.
This experience has led me to take a CPC course at a local college.
Although I am without a job at least I now know basic transport law, which is more than my ex-employer knows. Name and address supplied