TEMPING WITH THE PROFESSIONALS • I was surprised to note
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that some of the agencies surveyed (CM 1-7 November) did not guarantee to collect and return tachograph charts to their customers. Even if charts were occasionally lost by the drivers, at least a manually completed chart duly signed by the driver and countersigned by the agency would indicate willingness to comply with the law.
All that I am suggesting is that a good agency should have proper control systems and procedures that ensure adequate selection of the right calibre of driver.
They should also ensure proper conditions of employment as well as a willingness to ensure that standards are maintained; so that the agency or 'work contractor' can actually be professional.
Indeed, JJ Haulage Services shows one way how it can be done, though so far this is a local operation. It is much more difficult to expand such procedures on a national basis since if you restrict drivers to a certain number of customers, then flexibility suffers in order to maintain quality. The principle of matching drivers to jobs is applied by other (national) agencies with varying levels of success. Quality can be an elusive target.
Quality and professionalism should be a one-way concern. Undoubtedly while there are many unprofessional agencies who give their industry a bad name, there are quite a number that are good. The same is true of transport companies, except the number of really professional companies is rather smaller than some might think. One major transport firm, for instance, has a few depots which some agencies will not consider supplying with drivers. Indeed, even the bet
ter companies are not exempt from being sparse with accurate details for agency drivers, who usually obtain information by chatting to other drivers. This is unfortunately a widespread situation.
If the industry wants consistent, quality service from agencies then it has got to be prepared to pay, which doesn't mean that the most expensive are always the best, but that the cheapest are almost always the worst.
Just as drivers are advised to shop round — the highest rate does not always mean the best work or conditions. If, for instance, an agency is prepared to offer high rates and give you work without first having a full interview and proper referencing, then they are not professional at all and should be avoided.
Ideally everyone wants to get the best service possible at the lowest price. But if the ini tial cost is the only consideration it can be misleading. If, say, a cheap driver does eight hours work, bringing two deliveries back and damaging the vehicle, is that realty cheaper than a driver costing say .E2-3 per hour more, who completes all the deliveries and paperwork with no damage, but perhaps takes 10 hours. I know which I would regard as cost-effective and professional in the long-term.
HA Simpson, Halesowen, West Midlands.