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2005? Is that the time already?
Page 28
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I BELIEVE our transport industry has one of the most abusive, macho and outdated management styles that I have experienced anywhere. I can cite many examples of this backwardness but reference to the Working Time Directive (WTD) will suffice.
The sector was granted a stay of execution in order to get its house in order. When a date was finally set for 2005 what was the cry? "We need more time to prepare!"
I still hear transport managers saying, ostrich-like,"Oh it won't affect us" or "I'll get my drivers to sip a waiver".
My last full-time position was in international operations for a refrigerated transport company for about five years, during which time!
was physically attacked, verbally abused and!
witnessed bullying by directors.
A 60-hour week was not unusual and that didn't include being on call 24/7. I was also expected to supervise IT and was the nominated health and safety officer— all for less per hour than I now get for sitting in front of a class of art students!
I finally chucked in the towel after arguments about my contract of employment, the WTD and sick pay (pay was deducted for the two days that I took off to recover from rib injuries sustained whilst transhipping a vehicle).
And all this from a company that is held in high regard by its peers!
The days of experienced drivers moving into the office towards the end of their careers are over — the cab and the office are worlds apart.
We need enthusiastic young people of degree standard with modern language, resource management and IT skills 'chipped' for the world of modern logistics.
When Skills for Logistics wakes up to this we might drag our transport industry,kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century.
Name and address supplied