Unite launches historic national survey of truckers
The first steps in a campaign to revolutionise the working
conditions of Britain’s professional lorry drivers are taken today
(Friday) with the launch by Unite, the country’s biggest union, of
a hotline intended to shine a light on the tough working conditions
endured by truck drivers across the UK and Ireland.
The freephone service, which goes live on Friday 13th February,
will allow lorry drivers for the first time to tell Unite’s
transport specialists about the problems they face in finding
somewhere safe to park their valuable cargoes at night, and the
high costs and poor standards at many UK truckstops.
Unite assistant general secretary, Len McCluskey said: “No other
group of workers would be expected to endure the conditions which
are considered normal for professional lorry drivers. Lorry driving
is a tough job, and there’s considerable strain in the working day
of professional drivers.
"It is surely not too much to ask that at the end of that long
day’s work they should be able to enjoy a hot meal, a clean bed and
a secure night’s rest.”
The dangers facing lorry drivers are underlined by the attacks
reported through Truckpol, the national unit helping to combat road
freight crime, which estimates that motorway pirates cost the
economy up to £250 million a year.
Incidents are happening all the time to threaten the safety of
lorry drivers. For instance, last month a driver was attacked by
three men near Smethwick in the West Midlands and his lorry with 23
tonnes of copper and brass was stolen.
A few days earlier a driver was attacked as he slept in his cab
at Sutton Coldfield bypass. He was tied up and left at the roadside
while his trailer loaded with confectionery was taken.
TruckPol is warning drivers to be on the alert after a courier
driver was attacked at knifepoint in the early hours of the morning
on the A6 Burton Latimer By-Pass. The driver reported that he was
followed by a dark coloured vehicle which flashed his lights
indicating for him to pull over. When he pulled over and got out to
ask the other driver what was wrong, the man pulled out a kitchen
knife and told him to open up his vehicle. When the driver told the
man that he wasn't carrying anything, he lunged at him, puncturing
his jacket with the knife, but fortunately not causing any
injury.
“These crimes emphasise just how badly drivers need secure
truckstops that they can afford to use, keeping them safe and
offering them a proper night’s rest.” said Len McCluskey.
The Unite hotline for professional lorry drivers - on Freephone
0800 883 0570 - goes live today (Friday 13th February). Drivers
calling the number, which is being publicised at motorway cafes and
other truck stopping places across the UK, will be asked to take a
survey conducted by Unite road transport leader Ron Webb.
“The results of the survey will provide a complete picture, for
the first time ever, of how professional lorry drivers are
treated,” said Ron Webb, Unite national secretary for road haulage.
“This information is vital in our campaign to improve conditions so
drivers get a better deal on the road.
“Secure and affordable truckstops are vital for our haulage
industry. And they’re essential in our campaign to make our roads
safer for professional drivers and everyone else.
“A driver who’s had a good night’s rest is a better driver. And
that’s better for everyone.”
ENDS
Professional drivers among Unite’s members have been keeping
diaries of their experiences at truckstops and facilities up and
down Britain’s roads. Sometimes the truckstop map looks adequate,
but the reality is often a lot less pleasant for drivers who’ve
already put in a long day’s work. A typical diary reveals the
following:
• Parked at Southampton docks – cost £10. No
facilities
• Truckstop at Stirling closed due to holidays
• Night at Crewe. Truckstop £12.50. Food poor
• Stopped at Hartshead, stayed in cab. Services too expensive.
Used cereal and milk from home for dinner
• Stopped in lay-by – no food or drink
• Peterhead – dirty toilet, no food
• West Thurrock £8. Toilet and shower disgusting. Food
ok
• Cattle market, Newport. £5 to park. Would not let an animal
use these toilets
Unite says that such working conditions are unacceptable, and
professional lorry drivers should not have to tolerate this
treatment.
For further information call Pauline Doyle on 07976 832 861 or
Karen Viquerat on 07768 931 316
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