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152 
A GOOD TIME FOR DRIVERS
Page 20
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I read with concern the outdated views of `Sodalist Truck Driver David McKay (CM 6-12 June). Mr McKay states that the industry has poor wages, long hours, a lack of training and poor driver esteem. He rightly states there is an estimated shortage of 80,000 drivers.
This shortage provides drivers with excellent bargaining power. At present an experienced Class ldriver can more or less pick and choose the type of work he/she wants to do. Yes, there are drivers who work for £6.50 an hour but it is through their own choice.
Employers are aware that decent pay will retain decent drivers. Most responsible employers are responding to this situation, and those that do not? Keep well clear of them— they won't last long.
I agree that by flooding the industry with asylum seekers the driver shortage could be somewhat eased. However, this will be at the expense of those of us already in the industry and will certainly not raise wages; on the contrary, wages will be suppressed for the foreseeable future.
As a Class 1driver I am quite happy with the forthcoming 48hour week. I work for a forward-looking company that has already implemented this I work four shifts a week of 12 hours per shift. I am paid £8.10 per hour for the first 40 hours and £12.15 thereafter. The wages may not be 'top of the range', but they would be considerably less with an industry full of asylum seekers.
OK I might be selfish, but if Mr McKay is so sympathetic towards Eastern Europeans it might be better if he took himself and his ideals out of the UK and left the rest of us to get on with what we do best: driving trucks for a decent wage. Oliver Brown, Southampton.
PS Why would anyone want to work more than 48 hours a week?