LGV Drivers

[hu]

Morning folks

New to forum and just had my start date for VOC position as HGV driver

Have I dug my self a hole by joining RM ?

They stated 36.25hrs per week duties but they say its 40hrs as 1 HR for break,what is a typical day like being a HGV driver for RM as i don't start until end of October.

[DownwardSpiral]

Morning folks

New to forum and just had my start date for VOC position as HGV driver

Have I dug my self a hole by joining RM ?

They stated 36.25hrs per week duties but they say its 40hrs as 1 HR for break,what is a typical day like being a HGV driver for RM as i don't start until end of October.

Welcome, what have you gotten yourself into ! ! !

The fact that there are drivers within RM that have 30, 40, even 50 years service must be a testament to what a fine company it is to work for, although they’d never tell you that ! However that’s also the thing that will frustrate you. The allocation of driving duties in done by seniority, those that have been in RM longest get first pick, you will be at the bottom of the pile.
Just had a transport network review, so all LGV drivers just chosen duties for potentially the next few years. So, whatever they told you at the interview, it’s likely that you’ll be expected to work weekends ( no enhancement to pay ) or covering Annual Leave, so may be doing different shifts week by week.

On a positive note the work is relatively light, dealing with wheeled containers ( sometimes get help un/loading ! ), no nights out, rarely have unexpected waiting at depots, and the terms ‘n’ conditions are still good.

One gets “ institutionalised “ in RM very quickly, hence the long termers, but at least there’s plenty of opportunities out there for you at the moment should you find RM is not for you.

[hu]

Thank you for the reply.

I have been given a start date but,but my application status is stuck on pre-employment checks - I was wondering how long this process is and what are they checking apart from criminal checks and work history ? Also if any one would kindly shed some light on the hrs we work contract says 36.25 hrs is it over week over 4 days or 5 ? - what about overtime and rates of pay not been given any details just yet - also are the drivers getting a pay rise ?

sorry so many questions no were else to ask sorry

[mad man moon]

We are contracted those hours but I very much doubt it you will be working them.
60 hr weeks aren't uncommon with up to 12.5hr days. Saturday's, Sunday's and bank holidays will be need to be covered too.
Although we use yorks,loading and unloading upto 98 or very rearly 110 can be be a good workout.
You will also be driving 17t rigids for Delivery Offices or customer collections.
Keep to time and you should be fine. Like any job you get out what you put in.
I hope this info helps and hope you enjoy the new job.

[portadown]

You will be fine as long as ur flexible about working if not its not for u then

[Drivebigredthing]

So basicaly being a new start and being flexable means never getting a weekend off ever again.
Naa I really wanted this job. But the wages have caught up now elsewhere. Ive cancelled the full time job offer. Theres better out there now

[mad man moon]

Our place is going through duty reviews, having Tuesday-Saturday weeks.
I currently work 2 Saturdays in every 6 as a reserve driver. Other VOCs may be different.

[hu]

I currently work sunday to Thursday with current company. so looks like I'll be on a 5 day working week at RM so easily going above the 36.35hrs contracted hours as long as the money is good I'm in.

As a new starter most likely I'll get the sht end of the stick but if pay is good then a happy .

Do we get time and half after 36.25hrs ??

[ConeHater]

Have a search for CWU professional drivers agreement and all the information will be contained in that document - hours of work, breaks, holiday entitlement etc etc etc. P

[hu]

Have a search for CWU professional drivers agreement and all the information will be contained in that document - hours of work, breaks, holiday entitlement etc etc etc. P

Please could you include a link as I have searched and computer says no that's why I asked as I've been hunting high and low until I get my paper work from RM or speak to other drivers when I start on the 25th October as what the crack is.

[ConeHater]

http://www.cwuni.org.uk/id56.html

Link to Professional Drivers Agreement, rates of pay obviously different now !

[hu]

http://www.cwuni.org.uk/id56.html

Link to Professional Drivers Agreement, rates of pay obviously different now !

Thank you for the link - like you said not the latest pay rates just have to wait it out and see what is what.

[Big Wheeler]

Having read some of the comments above. The workload for each VOC comes from an outdated computer program called Paragon which works out the best and cost effective way to sort out the duties to each VOC. They are then distributed to each VOC where the planner and Union Reps sit down to construct a duty set of whet they have been given. Plus this time the minimum breaks were put in not what is on the PDA and this is reflected in the 318s, also this is beneficial to us as it creates more overtime for those who want it. As for flat weeks if the workload and if you are senior enough to pick one go for it if not you know the system so unfortunately that is the way it is. There will be always drivers who want maxed out duties so they have to cater for every taste. We are are a 24/7 so weekends will now be a part of the duty set weather we like it or not so we will have to get used to it as we now deliver on a Sunday. These are the basic facts and no I am not a manger just giving you the facts

[Shandy123]

So basicaly being a new start and being flexable means never getting a weekend off ever again.
Naa I really wanted this job. But the wages have caught up now elsewhere. Ive cancelled the full time job offer. Theres better out there now

This is what I'm now wondering about. I'm moving from delivery to LGV VOC (I know what I'm getting into, as I did agency LGV1 for 3 years before joining RM), but the discrepancy between what the 'general HGV1 pool' is being paid and what RM HGV1 is paid has now narrowed considerably.

I wonder if RM is planning to increase the LGV driver wages in order to continue to attract good drivers?
I also always wondered what led to the original large discrepancy in pay rates, if anyone knows.

[Big Wheeler]

As you might be aware as a UNION we in to collective bargaining which in essence we should all get the same pay rise when it comes. We are all postmen/women at the end of the day and just because we treated differently because of our driving privileges we are on a higher basic wage but it is done by percentage so means we will get more. We need to stick together and that is why we have such good terms and conditions. Any attempt to try to negotiate a separate pay deal for LGV drivers would mean the Divide and Conquer mentality by RM would be distinct reality.