Tanker Drivers

vulcan1964

Maybe we will see headlines like

Government averts double dip recesion due to massive pick up in Jerry can sales.

or maybe the next possible strike action.

Nurses walk out...dont panic army to take over running of wards.

ffacoffipawb

ILW wrote: »

How many tanker drivers have been blown up in the UK in the last 10 years?

Probably hundreds, to the DSS.

RUN_RABBIT_RUN

local garage had sold out this morning, had to go back in the afternoon and the queue was stretching out onto the road.

what a bunch of tankers!

J_i_m

I think it a shame that society in general hears the word "strike" and immediately goes "boo" people are too quick to jump to conclusions and make asumptions with little basis in fact.

I have no problem with these strikes if it happens. Sure I've been caught out by the panic buying at the pumps (empty tank, stations sold out) but that's hardly the fault of a tanker driver is it? It's mine for not paying good enough attention and societys in general for being just a little bit too moronic. (the last part is in slight jest before some decides to indignantly tear me apart limb from limb).

Going4TheDream

tartanterra wrote: »

Of course they are profit driven.

Why would anyone want to run loss making businesses?:huh:

You wouldnt think so and they shouldnt intend to, however many of these types of contracts do, and for many reasons. The price of fuel has risen dramatically over the past three years. Contracts usually have a clause to allow fluctuations for such variables, such as the increase in the price of fuel etc, however since the down turn many have seen volumes of the goods they transport on contracts drop and as such these types of conditions allow them to adjust Tupe employees contracts under ETO (economical, technical or operational) as they are actually losing money. The company overall may be making money but a particular contract may be making a loss.

Also some companies tender for lucrative contract (not always financially) with a determination to gain a wider market exposure in a particular area and will use the ecomomies of scale (using existing contracts they have) to merge some of the (transport) operations. ie they deliver a certain brand of product already and wish to deliver another competitors product into the same customers (ie rather than sending two different vehicles in the the same customer on the same day will send one and will intentionally price the contract low to secure it based on the savings.

All very simplisitcally explained, but it happens. The impact effectively falls to those working in the contract, and we see jobs changes, reductions in staff, people taking of additional or different work, and working conditions and T&C's being changed for many of those working in those contracts.

bugslet

Norfolk_Jim wrote: »

- what does the typical driver get? .

Hi Jim

It's difficult to say as there tends to be many variables in each job in terms of pay structure and the way the job works, if it's UK or international.

But, I think I mentioned that we've taken on a guy that worked on general haulage and got paid £7.40 an hour basic. On top of that he will get overtime, overtime is endemic in the haulage industry. He's out four or five nights a week and would have received somewhere around £20-£23.00 night out allowance ( non taxable). Sundays he got paid £10.00 an hour.

That is low pay. Technically he might work x hours, but when you are 300 miles from home and your driving hours mean that you end up in a lay-by, it;s not exactly the same as being at home. It does suit some people and they wouldn't change it, but it's difficult to know how you can get away from work when you live in your place of work as well!

On a recent thread on trucknet where people posted their wages the average was £9.44 an hour. After that overtime may be calculated at time an a third, or time and a half. Night out money varies. We pay above average, plus a daily meal allowance of a tax free £5.00, double time on sundays, we also pay through the compulsory 45 minute break which the majority of firms don't. So as i say, a lot of variables.

My lot last year would have grossed out at around £33- 35k, which is more than most would get, though we are a specialist haulier.

Not sure that helps really Jim! But I tried:)

ILW

Not sure, but is it the case that many of these companies employ unionised and non unionised drivers working side by side?

Batchy

The problem are the foreign firms and drivers who get paid less and feel like they are paid more. Casue they go back to eastern european homes and live a life of riley.

There is not a level playing field. they dont work to the times that UK drivers have to, and they bend the rules, work bent, and allow the immigrants in the back of their wagon to multiply the problems in the UK.

Starbrite

kabayiri wrote: »

I'm interested to know how you hijack a tanker?

I've yet to work that out! be good though to have one at bottom of my garden and have free pertol for a while. Just need to work out how to hide it and steal it without being found out.....:D

Starbrite

ILW wrote: »

How many tanker drivers have been blown up in the UK in the last 10 years?

Didn't one blow up in that M5 crash back in November?