A senior steward was targeted today for carrying his mobile phone. He was put on a truck that didn't have a cab phone and was sent a text by a member of management to his personal phone. When he returned to the depot his cab was searched.
This rule is now in the drivers handbook. It is accepted however, that management use this form of communication widely and regularly when drivers are on vehicles without a cab phone. There is documented evidence of this all across the UK.
With this in mind we can only assume that this is harrasment and victimisation of a shop steward and for obvious reason.
***** The driver has now been suspended****** but only after they got him to do is last load ?
Following the suspension of an NNC member a full time officer will be making representation to the company 1st thing Monday morning. If anyone has any evidence that management use personal mobiles to contact drivers or pay for phone top ups where there is no cab phones, please contact Fraser Ross who will pass on this information to a Full Time officer in support of our steward.
This is national hotline number to call if you see an truck working that should not be or driver that is working over is wtd .This number puts you through to the VI inteligence unit who,I am assured, will take your call in strictest confidence and if you so wish anonymously.The more info you can supply the better.
0870 60 60 440
National Intelligence Co-ordinator- Phil Stokes, 0117 954 3336
Intelligence Officers;-
Scotland - Vic Grant 0131 244 6520
North West - Mike Power 0161 947 1050
North East- Tracey Collins 01937 844724
South Wales and West Midlands -
Nigel Wright 01452 382781
Eastern - David Templeman 01536 513621
South Eastern- Gordon Richardson 01903 767593
Western - Ian Gould 01722 414131
A ########## haulage firm has been fined £15,000 for flouting driver’s hours laws which could have led to serious or fatal accidents.
Bosses of ######-based ****** Transport pleaded guilty to 30 offences of driver’s exceeding legal daily driving periods and not taking the necessary rest.
They were sentenced at Scunthorpe Magistrates court on Monday (17 May) where the firm was fined £500 for each offence and ordered to pay a further £30,000 towards prosecution costs.
Two of the firm’s drivers appeared at court and pleaded guilty to creating false drivers hours records.
Fines were also handed out to six further employees for driving for too long and not taking proper rests. The drivers were fined a total of £3,290 including costs and victims surcharge.
It follows an18-month investigation by government road safety agency Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). Examiners from VOSA began looking at the companies records in December 2008 and discovered that it had been ignoring the regulations which protect the safety of the drivers and other road users.
Alex Fiddes, VOSA Chief Operating Officer said:
Tired drivers run the risk of causing serious or fatal accidents. This case shows what a dim view the courts take of drivers and operators who abuse driver’s hours rules and don’t take proper rests.
VOSA is determined to find and prosecute those people who endanger the lives of other road users in this way.”
where did that happen and what bastard sent the text
ReplyDeleteSo whants new with that, my mangers calls me all the time on my mobile as they will not get my cab phone fixed???? no money left in the biscuit tin.
ReplyDeleteStill this is a bad show where did this happen?
Rumour has it,that this was the work of a router in the north of Scotland,very devious in his ways,and in with certain management,and crap at his job!!Be carefull people there up to dirty tactics.
ReplyDeletePaul Vian is this the only way that you are going to beat the Union by get rid of all the Shop Steward's shame on you!!! if that's the only way that you and mangers can manage your work force having to use dirty tactics. I think it's time to pass on the job as you are not fit to be in it.
ReplyDeleteWhy the fuck has a mobile phone got any relevance with caring of black oil , i thought that Black oil was general haulage . Nothing to do with the carriage of dangerous goods
ReplyDeleteHappened at GB oils terminal Inverness. Very low thing to do.
ReplyDeleteIn war there are no unwounded soldiers ???????????
ReplyDeleteVery poor! Firstly, do NOT let them search your cab, bag or person. It is an invasion of your privacy and an infringement of your human rights. Be polite, park your vehicle at the exit gate, remove your personal possesions and the keys and ask them to let you know when they are finished. Head for the terminal building and put your personal possesions safely in your locker. If they attempt to stop you , you must tell them that any contact is assault and you will pursue them in the courts. George Bain has NO RIGHT to search anyone he is only a planner! Neither is Arnet Cooke a manager. I hope this goes to a tribunal! The driver concerned, you know who i am, if you need any help or support let me know. JR.
ReplyDeleteWell said that man. Only 2 people would ever be allowed to search me other than a gorgeous blonde and that the police and customs. END OF!!!!!!! We must not take this lying down and if they want to take the gloves off then so be it. We all know that a certain prick in the north is breaking the law every day with certain drivers and trucks with his dodgy practises. Use the phone numbers in this article and start reporting!!! THE GLOVES ARE OFF AND THE WAR HAS STARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe union needs to start puuting members in touch with lawyers when they are being harrassed is this not a perk we are paying for not as i have heared recently when a member was sacked the union told him to seek advice from citizens advice
ReplyDeleteAll union members have access to lawyers. That's what you pay your dues for. Anyone not receiving this help should contact a senior steward. Now don't start telling me you don't have access to a steward cos if you're on this blog you only have to contact Fraser Ross and he will put you in touch with a senior steward.
ReplyDeleteHavn't you all realised the company are just looking for reasons to get rid of us drivers.
ReplyDeleteIt's cheaper than paying redundancy.
Look after your arse and hope for the best.
If we all stood together as one there wouldn't be any intimidation. We should all down tools tomorrow morning until the steward is reinstated. STAND UP TO THESE TOSSERS!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIs it true that a driver in Grangemouth had his cab searched and they found that he had a lighter in his bag then the put him to Clydebank then in to Paisley as the depot supervisor . Not suspended like the Guy in Inverness
ReplyDeletevery true to above comment,it was a lighter and phone
ReplyDeleteSo i take it he was not a shop steward then.
ReplyDelete" God " he must have friends in high places!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes God is actually his best friend and we all know that a certain manager north of the border is only aswerable to god himself!!
ReplyDeleteaye it was tony stewart
ReplyDeleteIf you are asked to do something that would put you over your Drivers' or European Working Time Directive Hours then remember: the points are going on YOUR licence; the fine comes out of YOUR pocket; your employer will wash their hands of you. You are now unemployed with points.
ReplyDeleteDo not think for one minute that your heroic efforts are appreciated. If you are caught you are on your own. The same applies to speeding.
Bear in mind Scottish drivers your employer now owns Brogans; if it comes as a surprise that there will (eventually) be driver redundancies then maybe you shouldn't be reading this.
Best Wishes,
JR
How many tacho's can one man put thru the shredder?
ReplyDeleteCan someone please tell me.
A
Do you guys not have the balls to standup for yourselves? You let your own shop steward be set up my management and all you can do is to continue to race each another over the highlands to see if you can get his job driving an artic. Big deal. Can you not see that you are turning this job into general haulage and getting paid general haulage rates. Everyone is laughing at you
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that members represented by this Shop Steward stand full square behind him. He is elected by you and any attack on him is an attack on you all. If this is allowed to happen you are all weakened. I am a Union Official and I deal with GB Oils all the time and I can see that this is a badly run Company with Bullys at the top. But the Law is the Law and they have to work within it.
ReplyDeleteMy hand is strengthened at a workplace where all members speak with one voice.
It's a bit of a joke when sit in a meeting with a Manager who does not understand Employment Law. It beggars belief.