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RDC fines firm then runs late
Page 13
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I Problems at supermarket regional distribution centres are costing money and drivers, says one Bedfordshire-based haulier.
Tony Funston, MD of reefer operator Funstons, says his company was hit with a £50 fine for arriving at too early at an RDC—and was then held up for nearly seven hours waiting to be unleaded.
The truck arrived two hours early," he reports. "Then you have the choice of going straight in and getting a fine or sitting about jamming up the roads around about the RDC. It's ridiculous." Funsten says he could accept paying a fine if the load was tipped within half-an-hour of the agreed time, but being forced to wait six-and-a-half hours meant the driver was almost out-of-hours.
Such delays are also having a serious effect on driver retainment, he warns: "We're based in Royston so we have a problem getting drivers for a start, but the more this happens the more upset drivers get. They just say: 'Why should we be treated like rubbish?' I do sympathise with the drivers, but I
just don't know what to do about ft."
• We deliver the goods on supemarkets in next week's CM Fnd out how to protect yotr firm agaiist PDC fines—and whether they are legal.