AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

P LETTER OF THE WEEK

26th March 2009, Page 19
26th March 2009
Page 19
Page 19, 26th March 2009 — P LETTER OF THE WEEK
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Trucks, Truck, Vehicles

When are we hauliers going to be respected?

AS A 'DEDICATED' haulier, over the years I have added various bits and pieces to my vehicle and trailer to keep up with UK and, of course, EU rulings.

I have been doing my job apparently satisfactorily for many years, loyally staying with the same people unless they have ceased to exist or been taken over, and I have been with the present company for nine years. I have been driving a truck since the mid-60s, and, therefore, think I am pretty well qualified for my job as most people would with more than 40 years' experience in their chosen profession.

Now, at what we are told is the beginning of a deep depression, I must acquire a new qualification the Driver CPC which means lost earnings and more expense just to carry on doing the same job. In the meantime, foreign trucks can still come here and snatch our work with large tanks full of cheaper fuel. Whatever happened to the level playing field of the EU?

Doesn't this government realise that it is virtually killing this country's haulage industry, and that without some sort of help there will soon be no UK haulage industry?

Last year, I was on guaranteed minimum earnings, but my earnings are now less than half that and I have not turned a wheel this week, therefore, no earnings at all but the truck still has to be insured, taxed and securely parked (as required by our 'bosses'). Now I am informed that I must increase my Goods In Transit insurance cover on our 44-tonne truck, but at the same time I hear I am only going to be paid at the 38-tonne rate, no extra for heavy loads, which obviously cost more to haul, although they still require our truck to be plated for 44 tonnes, and to haul 44 tonnes when required.

If and when Britain's exports pick up again, the country is going to need trucks and drivers, but they'll all have been put out of business by then, and new drivers are going to have to spend more to get qualified, and take several years to do it.

It is right now that our industry needs help, especially perhaps the smaller companies and owner-drivers that the larger firms are at present stringing along just to keep their services as and when they might require them.

From a different angle, our 'employer' turned off all but a few subbies, since the work was decreasing, then not long after took on different `subbies: As far as I could see, the work had not increased, so now we all end up sitting and waiting for work. When will this country recognise the need for trucks and start giving them the respect and support they need and deserve?

C Clark Via email

Tags

Organisations: European Union
People: Clark Via

comments powered by Disqus