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Double shift for milking

23rd January 1992
Page 17
Page 17, 23rd January 1992 — Double shift for milking
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Keywords : Mmb, Milk

• Milk Marketing Board attempts to cut 5% from its transport bill received fresh impetus this week with the launch of a double-shifting collection trial with Coldstream Distribution.

In an operation that looks to signal the future for many milk hauliers working for the MMB, Coldstream has halved the number of milk tankers operating from one of its depots and is double-shifting drivers to maximise vehicle use.

Coldstream, which has just been taken over by Northern Dairies, wants to see if the scheme can be implemented in its other eight depots, all of which are dedicated to the MMB.

The Honiton depot in Devon has cut its tanker fleet from 12 to six. The 12 drivers are working two shifts: 04:00-13:00hrs, and 14:00-23:30hrs. Like the rest of the milk collection industry, drivers previously worked from 08:00-15:30hrs.

Coldstream commercial manager, Gill Lynn, says there were initial reservations from the drivers over the night working, but adds that "pay is reflecting the changed situation". The change was inspired by MMB's aim to reduce its annual transport bill of £103m by around 5%. A report produced by management consultancy Coopers and Lybrand Deloitte a year ago recommended changes, and in the past three months the MMB has been looking more closely at the option of doubleshifting.

It currently uses 41 transport companies to collect milk from 31,500 farms and transport it to 300 dairies.

Although there are no plans to rationalise the contractor net work, it is thought the only financial benefit hauliers will receive will be through reduced vehicle procurement costs.

But an MMB transport official says: "It's early days to see all the final answers; there's still a lot more discussion needed. We've got to discuss finances, industrial relations and the particular circumstances with all our carriers."

West Country-based Wincanton Distribution Services, which runs 250 tankers for the MMB, is among these carriers. Milk and Foods managing director Keith House says: "I think it's feasible that double-shifting is possible, but we need to find out whether it's financially viable, and it's not going to be the most pleasant working environment — working at 4am in the depths of winter. I suspect drivers will be paid more."

Tags

Organisations: Milk Marketing Board
People: Gill Lynn

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