'Every job in haulage has been done by a woman at some time'
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iM en have often said to me: "Women can never be equal
in transport because they lack physical strength'. When I hear this statement it spurs me on to continue doing the job [love, not because I have something to prove, but because I have a right to choose my lifestyle. When I passed my HGV test 16 years ago it . never occurred to me that people might not give me a job because I am female.
At times it has been difficult. I am not an aggressive person looking for a battle, but if I hadn't developed a thick skin I would not have survived. In the beginning I could have given up many times. I used to take the nasty remarks personally. People have been verbally abusive and I have also been threatened with physical violence.
Once I felt insulted when a company refused to let me take their lorry out. It was an agency job, Class 3, well within my capabilities. I considered taking the firm to a tribunal but decided against it as I needed evidence from inside the company and I was not going to get that.
My attitude is not to try to convert the ignorant, but to educate and persuade more women to enter the industry, and more employers to accept them. The truth is you don't have to be built like a brick out-house complete with tattoos and beer belly to be a lorry driver. I get very angry when I hear of how women are treated — everyone has their strengths and weaknesses; we should decide our capabilities.
Over the years I have received hundreds of letters and phone calls from women asking for information about HGV driving. Many have been unable to convince anyone that they are seriously considering it as a career. Young girls have problems getting help from schools and parents; other women can't get support from their husbands who say: "I don't mind female drivers but I wouldn't let my wife do it".
Once a company takes on their first female driver they usually find she will put every effort into her job. High on her list of priorities is job satisfaction, sense of achievement, attention to detail and a need to enjoy what they are doing. A sure recipe for success. Men, however, are motivated by the wage packet at the end of the week. They are in competition with each other for the best jobs and the best vehicles.
can see a light at the end of the tunnel, however. It took one lady five years to find work, but eventually she was given a start by BRS on a contract job. Now she has the responsibility of looking after 10 vehicles and drivers. I have had a couple of phone calls recently asking if I know of a female driver looking for work in their area, because they have employed them before and have found them to be more reliable. Some of the larger companies are beginning to accept female drivers. Those in the lead are BRS and the Post Office, followed closely by Salvesen and Asda and some large parcel companies.
I have been in contact with more than 300 lady truckers and their talents never cease to amaze me. I would say that probably every job in haulage has been done by a woman at some time or another. Now that the industry is trying to clean up its image, maybe the female qualities of consideration, courtesy and tact will be more appreciated.
Getting my HGV licence was the best thing I ever did. It has opened a lot of doors for me and I feel other women should have the same opportunities. There are more and more females training to drive trucks, and we are here to stay. y LI If you want to sound off about a road transport issue write to features editor Patric Cunnane.