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Spare a thought for the agency drivers who 'start a new job every day'
Page 26
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I HAVE to agree with Kevin Brooke in last week's issue (CM 26 August) regarding agency drivers. I did not see theoriginal letter from Sean Saxon. but 1 feel he could do well to look at some 'permanent' drivers in companies besides his own. I have spent the past 10 years working in agencies, supplying drivers to numerous customers to major firms and one-man bands The way some companies treat 'temps' is abysmal — they expect them to be poor before they arrive. To be fair, in some cases they might have had a 'bad' driver and therefore feel that once bitten, twice shy.
However, the companies that have an induc tion for the drivers, or give them an easier run to take into account the temp's unfamiliarity with their dropsxustomers,working practices etc. tend to get a better response from the drivers.
Remember. being a temp could mean working for five different companies in a week.You may have the licence but you do not know every company. It is like starting a new job every day. In response to Richard Davies,1 have dealt with companies that think drivers can drive 15 hours a day; I have found their drivers' tachos in the cab (filled in incorrectly). It is not just agency drivers who need tacho training. I have come across drivers who are OK doing a Leeds to Bristol trunk but get lost on any other job; drivers with an attitude problem; drivers who drive aggressively— and all these work in full-time jobs. I come across companies that transport hazardous goods with no ADR trained drivers, no DGSA and no signage.
I have a Class 1,ADR, CPC, DGSA, a crane licence and drive anything from concrete mixers to pet-reg acid and gas tankers. I also have a masters degree in business. I know poor agency drivers exist, but I have come across far more incompetent people in management!
Paul Smith Director, Chemical Driveline