db cargo freight driver

[col68]

thanks so much for all the replies and advice ……………………..I think I know which way to go now lol

 

[Willie mcbeath]

thanks so much for all the replies and advice ……………………..I think I know which way to go now lol

Who do you work for now if you don't mind me asking?

 

[DerekDingle]

thanks so much for all the replies and advice ……………………..I think I know which way to go now lol

No ones really said anything positive about Db cargo on here, but I got some info from people I know have joined there in the last year.
51k basic, 35 hour week reducing to 32 hours from January next year. 6 months full/ 6 months half sick pay after six months. Mixture of work. Heavy haul/Intermodal. 13 week roster. Only 1 of those weeks, you don’t know what you’re working in advance. CEO emails every Monday, saying about business won/lostz I understand they’re cherry picking work and only taking work they want. Yes there’s a shortage of drivers, but they got rid of dead wood last year. They are cherry picking new drivers too. I’ve been told they’re turning down experienced drivers with good records/route knowledge. Not just taking everyone they interview, so that says something!
Most drivers are positive about the place. Gbrf won a contract off them earlier in the year, but had to give it back because they hadn’t enough drivers to cover the work! Everyone’s short of drivers so not just them! My advice is interview with as many companies you can get, compare terms. Then make a choice that’s best for you with regards to them and the feel you get from each. If it doesn’t work out. Move. Every application or change of job is a risk.

 

[ExMover]

No ones really said anything positive about Db cargo on here, but I got some info from people I know have joined there in the last year.
51k basic, 35 hour week reducing to 32 hours from January next year. 6 months full/ 6 months half sick pay after six months. Mixture of work. Heavy haul/Intermodal. 13 week roster. Only 1 of those weeks, you don’t know what you’re working in advance. CEO emails every Monday, saying about business won/lostz I understand they’re cherry picking work and only taking work they want. Yes there’s a shortage of drivers, but they got rid of dead wood last year. They are cherry picking new drivers too. I’ve been told they’re turning down experienced drivers with good records/route knowledge. Not just taking everyone they interview, so that says something!
Most drivers are positive about the place. Gbrf won a contract off them earlier in the year, but had to give it back because they hadn’t enough drivers to cover the work! Everyone’s short of drivers so not just them! My advice is interview with as many companies you can get, compare terms. Then make a choice that’s best for you with regards to them and the feel you get from each. If it doesn’t work out. Move. Every application or change of job is a risk.

I'm one of those new joiners and everything posted above by DerekDingle is true. Some of the other stuff on here is not. The people that stayed at DB are positive about the future, those that left are not. Who's right will no doubt be clearer in tne future but, for now, DB is a good place to work.

 

[GB]

No ones really said anything positive about Db cargo on here, but I got some info from people I know have joined there in the last year.
51k basic, 35 hour week reducing to 32 hours from January next year. 6 months full/ 6 months half sick pay after six months. Mixture of work. Heavy haul/Intermodal. 13 week roster. Only 1 of those weeks, you don’t know what you’re working in advance. CEO emails every Monday, saying about business won/lostz I understand they’re cherry picking work and only taking work they want. Yes there’s a shortage of drivers, but they got rid of dead wood last year. They are cherry picking new drivers too. I’ve been told they’re turning down experienced drivers with good records/route knowledge. Not just taking everyone they interview, so that says something!
Most drivers are positive about the place. Gbrf won a contract off them earlier in the year, but had to give it back because they hadn’t enough drivers to cover the work! Everyone’s short of drivers so not just them! My advice is interview with as many companies you can get, compare terms. Then make a choice that’s best for you with regards to them and the feel you get from each. If it doesn’t work out. Move. Every application or change of job is a risk.

What GBRF contract was won then given back?
If they are turning down experienced drivers with good records and route knowledge then you have to ask yourself...why?

 

[DerekDingle]

What GBRF contract was won then given back?
If they are turning down experienced drivers with good records and route knowledge then you have to ask yourself...why?

Not sure of the ins and outs of the contract but it’s true. Gbrf expected to get drivers from Db with the contract. But Db refused. Poor business from Gb if you ask me.
Because they’re not desperate for drivers and are cherry picking the best ones. Just because they have good records and route knowledge, doesn’t mean they are the right fit for the company... so I’m not sure what you’re trying to get at.

 

[GB]

deleted

 

[FOCTOC]

Not sure of the ins and outs of the contract but it’s true. Gbrf expected to get drivers from Db with the contract. But Db refused. Poor business from Gb if you ask me.
Because they’re not desperate for drivers and are cherry picking the best ones. Just because they have good records and route knowledge, doesn’t mean they are the right fit for the company... so I’m not sure what you’re trying to get at.

I wont go into specifics due to commercial sensitivities - but I can say the above is utter drivel. GBRF are actually hiring drivers to DB to work DB services. Hang around Acton/Westbury and the likes and see how many GB drivers are currently covering Mendip stone contract work.

 

[DerekDingle]

Like I said, if you read it. It’s what I’ve heard. Half the information on here is hearsay or disgruntled ex employees spouting off! I and others have had GBRF employees knocking on windows asking if we want to work for them, due to a shortage of drivers. EVERY company on the freight side is short of drivers!

 

[Willie mcbeath]

thanks so much for all the replies and advice ……………………..I think I know which way to go now lol

Mate, no point in listening to random strangers on an internet forum, most know next to nothing.
The only way to find out info is by actually speaking to a db driver, try arrange a wee visit to a depot.

 

[DerekDingle]

deleted

Why delete your post? I got the email through. Like I said, if you read what I put, “it’s what I’ve heard”! I didn’t say it was a definite. Half the previous comments are spouting hearsay. I was mearly saying, that the person at Db said it isn’t all bad and they are not losing contracts hand over fist. Please read fully and comment correctly before ‘posting on a public forum’ as you put it! I wasn’t trying to cause an argument. Just putting across a side from what I’ve been told.

 

[GB]

I deleted my post because I thought its tone was a bit out of place. I assume it is the Peak Forest cement contract which you referred to, in which case GB haven't handed back anything. They are not up to full swing yet for various reasons.

 

[Breize block]

No ones really said anything positive about Db cargo on here, but I got some info from people I know have joined there in the last year.
51k basic, 35 hour week reducing to 32 hours from January next year. 6 months full/ 6 months half sick pay after six months. Mixture of work. Heavy haul/Intermodal. 13 week roster. Only 1 of those weeks, you don’t know what you’re working in advance. CEO emails every Monday, saying about business won/lostz I understand they’re cherry picking work and only taking work they want. Yes there’s a shortage of drivers, but they got rid of dead wood last year. They are cherry picking new drivers too. I’ve been told they’re turning down experienced drivers with good records/route knowledge. Not just taking everyone they interview, so that says something!
Most drivers are positive about the place. Gbrf won a contract off them earlier in the year, but had to give it back because they hadn’t enough drivers to cover the work! Everyone’s short of drivers so not just them! My advice is interview with as many companies you can get, compare terms. Then make a choice that’s best for you with regards to them and the feel you get from each. If it doesn’t work out. Move. Every application or change of job is a risk.

I was obviously dead wood then ! Lol
I'm sure a lot of drivers that left with me on the VRS scheme would be offended by that, DB actually lost a lot of very good, very experienced drivers through that poorly thought out restructuring. There can't be many companies that spend many hundreds of thousands of pounds (probably millions?) on redundancies only to find they have a shortage and have to spend thousands more employing/training new staff. As for happy drivers I could give you a list of phone numbers of my former colleagues who are very unhappy, one of which was telling me just this morning what a mess it is with no drivers and continual begging trying to get jobs covered. But it's nice that someone is positive of DB, I guess you're the sort of person they want, and hope it works out for you - but only for the future of the staff and not through any loyalty to the company

 

[Breize block]

Oh and by the way I'm not a disgruntled ex-employee - I'm a very happy ex-employee

 

[FOCTOC]

What seems typical in this thread and others like it, is certain people only hear what they want to hear whilst others post only hearsay 'my mate knows a driver and he says.......' and the like. If you dont want to hear the bad as well as the good, then dont bother asking. Theres people commenting here, myself included who are or were very much employed by the named companies and who know exactly what they are talking about.

 

[Breize block]

What seems typical in this thread and others like it, is certain people only hear what they want to hear whilst others post only hearsay 'my mate knows a driver and he says.......' and the like. If you dont want to hear the bad as well as the good, then dont bother asking. Theres people commenting here, myself included who are or were very much employed by the named companies and who know exactly what they are talking about.

Unfortunately that is the problem with an open forum

If the OP is a member of ASLEF and on Facebook I suggest he(or she?) joins the ASLEF group and asks the same question on there. Or even just does a search on there for previous discussions on DBC, I think that may give them a better picture.

 

[BR driver]

The worst employment terms, pension, rostering of any company out there! A place where staff aren’t valued, unless your family or mates with management. If you are you’ll be treated favourably and promoted in to higher roles. That’s what I’ve been told, from a mate who works there.

Yes, Ive heard most of that above.
The Colas freight drivers have no negotiated conditions or union.
So cant really be compared to the other FOCs that have union recognition and negotiated Ts+Cs (however bad).
The Colas track machine guys may be a bit better off as some Tuped in and brought conditions with them.

 

[BR driver]

t

A lot are leaving, or will be looking to leave if they get an opportunity to!

Those that are able to of course...
On the freight side many are already in the last chance saloon..

 

[FOCTOC]

t


Those that are able to of course...
On the freight side many are already in the last chance saloon..

Thats quite an accusation to make.

 

[BR driver]

Thats quite an accusation to make.

To be clear I was referring to the freight side at Colas only, not other FOCs or the machine guys at Colas.

 

[Regan]

Your right regarding the OTMS we have amey,balfour beatty,carillion,serco and the colas contract.

 

[FOCTOC]

To be clear I was referring to the freight side at Colas only, not other FOCs or the machine guys at Colas.

Im one of the ex Colas freight drivers mate. Your problem is you have fallen for the bull**** I used to hear all the time I was there. "Cowboys/no conditions/last chance saloon" and other associated insults. It may surprise you to know, for a fact that proportionately Colas had no more clowns than any other FOC which is precisely why many of them/us have left for pastures new. Im assuming you are ex DB - those superior drivers with conditions. And no work.

 

[BR driver]

Im one of the ex Colas freight drivers mate. Your problem is you have fallen for the bull**** I used to hear all the time I was there. "Cowboys/no conditions/last chance saloon" and other associated insults. It may surprise you to know, for a fact that proportionately Colas had no more clowns than any other FOC which is precisely why many of them/us have left for pastures new. Im assuming you are ex DB - those superior drivers with conditions. And no work.

I wasn't the one who mentioned cowboys..I know a few Colas drivers...in fact one group of drivers there are far from cowboys..

 

[Regan]

I have only conducted one of our freight drivers over a route from landor street to rugby he was from wales made redundant by freightliner seemed more than happy with colas freight but I didn't go into detail about there t&c's.

 

[BR driver]

Your right regarding the OTMS we have amey,balfour beatty,carillion,serco and the colas contract.

And have the TUPEd in guys managed to keep there old conditions?

 

[Regan]

Yes the workforce at colas have still got there own t&c's tuped from other companies the only difference is the existing colas contract for new starters.

 

[FOCTOC]

Yes the workforce at colas have still got there own t&c's tuped from other companies the only difference is the existing colas contract for new starters.

Freight drivers dont, seperate contracts. Theres no 'core' drivers ever been TUPE'd into freight. The IM contract is different, that came from DB and the contract t&c's have caused some significant industrial unrest.

 

[Regan]

I was only on about the otm side when contracts come up for renewal so possible tupe can arise hope I haven't confused anyone.

 

[BR driver]

Freight drivers dont, seperate contracts. Theres no 'core' drivers ever been TUPE'd into freight. The IM contract is different, that came from DB and the contract t&c's have caused some significant industrial unrest.

Ah the IM drivers..
I know some of them and heard what they've been through
They have stuck together through everything that has been thrown at them
A fine body of men, wouldn't you agree?

 

[BR driver]

Wernt the Dunbar drivers TUPED in from FLHH?