New industry lobby group United Drivers pledges to get in the face of government and other decision-makers and represent only the needs of professional drivers
The formation of a new industry lobby group might appear to be overkill in a market where trade associations and trade unions abound, but United Drivers says it is the only one working 100% for drivers.
“United Drivers is about changing the way drivers are treated,” says its spokesman, Joe Valentine. “We are not a trade association, we are not a union, we are not militant. We want to work with other trade bodies and operators to improve haulage but from a professional driver’s point of view.”
Born out of frustration
Hammering home the difference, Valentine adds: “We are certainly not a trade union, because a union works to an agenda that doesn’t always represent drivers.
“The RHA [Road Haulage Association] and FTA [Freight Transport Association] do a reasonable job but they don’t represent people in the driving seat.”
United Drivers has been born out of a frustration – “palpable unrest”, according to HGV driver Valentine – that decision-makers, ministers and senior members of the government are all failing to consult and discuss transport problems with the people who arguably know more about the issues than anyone else, and at the very least are the ones affected the most by them.
“No drivers are represented,” he says. “It all drills down to drivers who are recipients of this nonsense.
“The lobby group is all about encouraging dialogue with the government directly about how their decisions materially affect the drivers.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2017 من Truck & Driver.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2017 من Truck & Driver.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years