Surprise packet on drivers' pay
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by CM reporter NEARLY half of Britain's fleet operators would like to see major changes in the way they pay their drivers—notably in taking firmer control of work done and payments made. This conclusion emerges from a national survey of driver payment and productivity schemes which is to be published later this month by the Whitehead Consulting Group Ltd.
In a survey of 118 companies—of which 49 (42 per cent) operated a bonus scheme geared to productivity — 45 concerns said they would like to see marked changes in their payment schemes. Of the firms surveyed, some 15 were hauliers and the rest ownaccount operators.
The high proportion of these operators with productivity bonus schemes explains the weight of objection (especially through the Freight Transport Association) to EEC proposals for banning productivity schemes linked to driver output.
The report rates the tachograph as still very much in the experimental stage at operational level, with a need to assess the value of its information against the cost of its acceptance by drivers and its installation and use. But unions are, says the report, prepared to negotiate its use with indi vidual companies.
Drivers were found to be involved in unloading or loading to an extent which is very significant in view of the likely introduction of the EEC eighthour driving day later this year, and also of TGWU moves (notably in the Midlands) to exclude loading and unloading from drivers' work. In 97 per cent of the firms surveyed the drivers unloaded or helped to unload and in 65 per cent they assisted with loading.
Detailed study
The Whitehead Consulting Group published a survey of distribution costs some two years ago which showed that distribution in its widest sense could account for up to 20 per cent of Britain's Gross National Product. The present survey, focusing on the all-important area of driver efficiency, is probably the most detailed study yet undertaken of driver payment systems.
It does not give aver gross earnings of driv because there was no wish cut across the FTA wa analysis scheme. However, Roland Bream, the author the new Whitehead sun' does reveal much detail premium payment systems weekend work and holiday:
33,500 drivers
The sample of 118 cornpar employed a total of 33, drivers. They ranged ft companies employing under drivers (20 companies) to th employing over 1,000 driv Various types of operati were looked at—trunk shunting, radial operation and the survey took accoun the non-driving work typie undertaken.
On payment structures, companies (27 per cent) against actual hours wor with a fall back (in most ca of 40 hours.
Thirty-six companies (30 cent) pay against guarant hours—usually 45 or 50 hc end 13 companies pay overne for any hours worked :yond the guarantee.
Of the 49 companies 2 per cent) which operate a mus scheme geared to proictivity, 32 operate an indidual driver bonus scheme; re have both individual and oup schemes; and 12 operate group scheme, seven being nsolidated or group bonus hemes.
With the exception of the oil dustry, there was no relationip between the type of payant scheme in force and the pe of industry or type of ieration—trunking, shuttle or dial. The number of drivers iployed had no bearing on e type of scheme used.
Of the 46 companies (39 per nt) operating a job and finis], stem, 25 pay a guaranteed 3ek of more than 40 hours.
The survey found that 43 mpanies of the 118 examined fined only one category of iVer and 46 defined two eateries of driver. Two compan; defined as many as six cateries.
As already mentioned, in 97 r .cent of the survey firms, a driver unloaded or helped unload his vehicle and in 77 mpanies (65 per cent) he sisted in loading his vehicle. 54 companies (46 per cent) a driver roped and sheeted hicks where appropriate.
tchographs
Fifty-eight companies (49 r cent) have defined operat; standards for each element the driver's task: 24 comnies use these standards for inning only; 33 companies these standards for both inning and payment. Only e company used the startrds for payment purposes 3eventeen companies (14 per it) have installed tachorphs in at least one vehicle, t nine of these companies currently making no use of Information contained in ! charts.
rhe report is offered at a :cial pre-publication price of I until January 31, 1976. ereafter the price per, copy 11 be £23. The report is :ainable from Publications pt, Whitehead Consulting oup Ltd, 21 Wigmore Street, adon W1H 9LA.