Following negotiations with Wincanton, GMB union has welcomed the deal as ‘a good outcome’ for members driving these specialist HGVs and confirms that Wincanton has also agreed to look at night rates for the drivers who spend a large part of their week away from home.
GMB the union for logistics drivers has also asked Wincanton to agree to retention bonuses in recognition of the industry’s national situation of driver shortages and availability.
Steve Garelick, GMB London Region organiser said: “At a time when drivers are in such demand, GMB welcomes Wincanton’s recognition that our members are an essential part of their business.
“With HGV retention becoming a major issue GMB hopes that other companies will see the key value of these workers who, traditionally, have been underpaid by some employers of workers in the logistics industry.
“This indeed is a Brexit dividend that is not the outcome some employers anticipated, where some may have thought Brexit would provide an opportunity to drive pay down, the national shortage of HGV drivers is helping drivers receive the right pay for the job.”
It is expected that pay negotiations for 2022 will start in late September and GMB London, assuring members of their intention to get the best pay and work conditions, anticipates that an agreement will be in place for January 2022.
With driver shortages across the sector reported by Fuel Oil News here are you a driver that has benefited from an improved financial packet or have you been adversely affected as a company by lack of drivers or increased costs?
Share your experiences of these impacts: margaret@fueloilnews.co.uk