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Only short breaks for drivers
Page 14
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by Derren Hayes • Most drivers will be spending Christmas Day at home but almost all will be working at some time over the holiday period, says a Commercial Motor poll.
Many drivers, especially those with families, say they wouldn't work over Christmas and have booked holidays. However, some don't mind working and see it as a good opportunity to make some extra money.
This Christmas is the first since 1986 that Bayliss driver Jon Charles has had off. The driver with 15 years experience says the Basingstoke-based company gives drivers three days off but expect you to work at some time over the holiday.
Hall and Co driver Clifford Simpson has been driving for two months and says having only Christmas Day and Boxing Day off will be a shock to the system. He says: "It's going to be a little hard having to work so much over Christmas."
Agency drivers are at the mercy of the demands of the market—they often get called upon most during busy holiday periods. Graham Beadle has been an agency driver for more than 10 years working regularly for Safeway.
"I won't know when I'm working until Christmas Eve but I'm quite happy to work most days—my children are grown up and I will spend any holiday quietly with my wife," he says.
George Windsor, a driver for soft drinks maker Silverspring, says the chance to earn some over time is the reason he might work over Christmas. He gets given the option of working and when Brewery and pub drivers are kept particularly busy. Former soldier Kevin Imisson who drives for Exel Logistics on the Whitbread contract only has Christmas and New Year's Day off.
Former navy officer Dave Rochester driving for Crawley-based DF Warehouses says he hasn't decided whether he'll be working yet but wouldn't mind working any time even Christmas Day.
"The company are brilliant and as they look after me I don't mind looking after them—it's got nothing to do with the money," he adds.