Upping the ante to retain drivers
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• Hauliers are trying to combat chronic driver shortages by introducing pay rises well above inflation, according to a new survey from the Income Data Services and the Road Haulage Association.
The news comes as the Transport & General Workers Union pushes for pay rises to counter the effects of the impending Working Time Directive.
Increases of 5% or more for drivers have been found to be common at the 175 small-tomedium-sized employers questioned for the survey as they attempt to overcome recruitment or retention difficulties.
The average basic weekly pay for artic drivers was found to be £240. The average basic hourly rate was £5.81 and half of the respondents were paying their artic drivers between 15.18 and £6.57 an hour.
These figures compare with a basic rate of about £5.80 an hour for drivers of large rigids; £5.15 an hour for van drivers; £5.55 an hour for warehouse staff; and £7.25 an hour for fitters.
The survey, carried out in August and September this year, confirmed that there is still a heavy reliance on drivers working long periods of overtime. Out of a sample of 92 companies, overtime earnings were found to be worth on average 49% of the basic pay for C+E drivers.
The majority of respondents believe that they will have to employ more drivers when the Working Time Directive is extended to the industry.