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Rikki Chequer, the community manager of TruckNet UK, looks at hot topics on the driver website.
Page 16
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Yes, the stand-out subjects yet again this week are fuel and fuel protests. While a lot of other topics are covered on the TruckNet UK forums, these two are (unsurprisingly, given the current state of the economy, industry and fuel prices) being discussed at great length.
Members of the roundtable on the forum who live and work in Spain have been giving users regular updates on the demos being staged in the country. As I write this, it seems that food and fuel are starting to move again, and the shops are getting restocked.
Hombre from Malaga writes: "At present, Fenadismer are still on strike, so, basically, it's just the owner-drivers and those running a couple of trucks.
"There is fuel back in the petrol stations, and the supermarket shelves are filling up again. I think it would be fair to say its effectively over.
"Sadly, however, I think the repercussions of the strike's failure to achieve the aims of small operators will see a good number of them park their trucks up for good. A bonus for the big boys, and, of course, the Eastern Europeans."
Here in the UK, drivers are coming up with some 'inventive' ways to demonstrate while avoiding a Public Order Notice. For example, driving around every roundabout they come across three times before exiting at the turning they want.
There are still calls for bosses to take the lead on effective ways to draw attention to what many are describing as a crisis. The national drivers' holiday week (where all transport companies ask their drivers to take a week off work at the same time) still gets a few calls for support.
It is fair to say that most of the drivers feel that the unions and trade associations are doing little or nothing to help those trying to obtain Government intervention to help the industry.
The trade associations say they have been lobbying for years for extra help. The drivers reply that, given the current state of the industry, it is obvious that lobbying isn't working, and it's time for the associations to take a different approach before they don't have an industry to represent.