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  1. Published on: 05/11/2021 11:51 AMReported by: editor
    Name:  unite-lorry.JPG
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    Unite, the UK’s leading union, which represents tens of thousands of lorry drivers, has warned that the government’s decision to press ahead with a relaxation of the cabotage rules risks the safety of all road users.

    Rules changed

    In an attempt to lessen the problems caused by a shortage of lorry drivers, the Department for Transport has relaxed the rules on foreign lorries making deliveries and collecting goods in the UK. Previously, European Union drivers were restricted to making just two collections or deliveries before having to leave Great Britain.

    Under the government’s relaxation of the rules, for the next six months (until 30 April 2022) employers from anywhere in the world (not just the EU) lorry drivers can be sent to the UK for 14 days to make unrestricted collections and deliveries.

    Short-term fix

    Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is yet another example of the government using a short-term fix rather than developing long-term solutions to the shortage of lorry drivers in the UK.

    "The drivers involved are at extreme risk of being exploited with absolutely no protection under UK law. It could also undercut rates for UK lorry drivers. So the relaxing of the rules won’t be a temporary solution, in fact it could end up creating even more difficulties for the industry.”

    Live in cabs

    During this period the driver can operate under a reduced weekly rest period so they can legally live in their lorry for the entire period that they are in the UK and still comply with driving regulations.

    The drivers will not be governed by UK employment laws so they could be paid below the national minimum wage while working in the country.

    Safety concerns

    Unite is alarmed about driver and road safety for the following reasons:

    The lorries operating in this manner do not have to comply with the same licensing requirements and standards prior to entering the UK.

    There is no official public record of which companies are taking advantage of the cabotage rules so there is no independent monitoring.

    There will be no checks on the road worthiness of the lorries being used before they enter the UK.

    The only way that drivers can be checked on whether they are complying with the regulations on drivers’ hours is through spot checks which are rare.

    Dangerous game

    Unite national officer Adrian Jones said: “The government is playing a dangerous game. Lorry drivers from throughout the world can now be forced to work in the UK with no effective checks on whether their vehicles are safe or if they are obeying driving regulations. The government’s actions are also risking the safety of all road users.”

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    Your Comments:


  3. ausard2 says:05/11/2021 11:59 AM
    Don’t these unions get under your skin with so many boring issues.
    Then they want more money . We all want more and dress it up as you like
    It's Joe Public who has to fund it in higher prices.

  4. Dislikes donkey22, rumple, gazaprop disliked this post
  5. donkey22 says:05/11/2021 01:12 PM
    Why would anyone find a change in legislation that potentially affects the safety of all road users boring?

  6. Likes rumple, The PNP, gazaprop liked this post
  7. Tentill4 says:05/11/2021 03:27 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by editor View Post
    Name:  unite-lorry.JPG
Views: 0
Size:  123.8 KB

    Unite, the UK’s leading union, which represents tens of thousands of lorry drivers, has warned that the government’s decision to press ahead with a relaxation of the cabotage rules risks the safety of all road users.

    Rules changed

    In an attempt to lessen the problems caused by a shortage of lorry drivers, the Department for Transport has relaxed the rules on foreign lorries making deliveries and collecting goods in the UK. Previously, European Union drivers were restricted to making just two collections or deliveries before having to leave Great Britain.

    Under the government’s relaxation of the rules, for the next six months (until 30 April 2022) employers from anywhere in the world (not just the EU) lorry drivers can be sent to the UK for 14 days to make unrestricted collections and deliveries.

    Short-term fix

    Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is yet another example of the government using a short-term fix rather than developing long-term solutions to the shortage of lorry drivers in the UK.

    "The drivers involved are at extreme risk of being exploited with absolutely no protection under UK law. It could also undercut rates for UK lorry drivers. So the relaxing of the rules won’t be a temporary solution, in fact it could end up creating even more difficulties for the industry.”

    Live in cabs

    During this period the driver can operate under a reduced weekly rest period so they can legally live in their lorry for the entire period that they are in the UK and still comply with driving regulations.

    The drivers will not be governed by UK employment laws so they could be paid below the national minimum wage while working in the country.

    Safety concerns

    Unite is alarmed about driver and road safety for the following reasons:

    The lorries operating in this manner do not have to comply with the same licensing requirements and standards prior to entering the UK.

    There is no official public record of which companies are taking advantage of the cabotage rules so there is no independent monitoring.

    There will be no checks on the road worthiness of the lorries being used before they enter the UK.

    The only way that drivers can be checked on whether they are complying with the regulations on drivers’ hours is through spot checks which are rare.

    Dangerous game

    Unite national officer Adrian Jones said: “The government is playing a dangerous game. Lorry drivers from throughout the world can now be forced to work in the UK with no effective checks on whether their vehicles are safe or if they are obeying driving regulations. The government’s actions are also risking the safety of all road users.”
    "This is yet another example of the government using a short-term fix rather than developing long-term solutions to the shortage of lorry drivers in the UK"

    Perhaps this is a short term fix whilst they develop a long term strategy

    "The drivers will not be governed by UK employment laws so they could be paid below the national minimum wage while working in the country."

    I was under the impression that the drivers were paid more abroad than in the UK, so why would you work in the UK for less money. That info doesn't add up, unless your Diane Abbott..

    "The lorries operating in this manner do not have to comply with the same licensing requirements and standards prior to entering the UK."

    As far as I'm aware, they didn't before, so what has changed?

    "There will be no checks on the road worthiness of the lorries being used before they enter the UK."

    Again, as far as I'm aware there wasn't any before, so what has changed??

    "“The government is playing a dangerous game. Lorry drivers from throughout the world can now be forced to work in the UK"

    No one is forcing them to work in the UK, especially as they're paid more to work abroad...

  8. The PNP says:05/11/2021 07:14 PM
    Perhaps they can make Farage drive one of 'em instead...This is all part and parcel of the stupid Brexit fiasco that was all his idea - duh!
    Last edited by The PNP; 06/11/2021 at 10:09 PM.

  9. Likes donkey22 liked this post
  10. Tentill4 says:05/11/2021 09:08 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by The PNP View Post
    Perhaps they can make Farage drive one of 'em instead...This all all part and parcel of the stupid Brexit fiasco that was all his idea - duh!
    Perhaps they should make all EU drivers use rickshaws instead...

    Some people want to blame brexit, unless that means more cycle paths....

  11. ands71 says:05/11/2021 09:46 PM
    All manual skilled jobs are in short supply of workers, finally 15 years of a lack of training and pushing many kids into University who shouldnt really be there is coming home to roost.


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