“ “ Welfare
As well as the potential relaxation of driving hours, Unite is also concerned that proper welfare facilities will not be provided in places that are expected to suffer from widespread disruption in the event of a no deal Brexit. Provision also needs to be made for drivers to take rest breaks away from their lorries during major delays.
Unite will totally oppose any relaxation in driving regulations. This would result in exhausted drivers, with potentially lethal consequences for road users
BY RYAN FLETCHER Adrian Jones Unite national officer ”
We are pressured to take risks like breaking the speed limit and skip our breaks. There are often no facilities so we don’t have the time nor the place to use the toilet for hours
Unite rep and bus driver ” Bao Singh
“In a sensible world the government would rule out a disastrous no deal Brexit,” commented Jones. “Failing that Grant Shapps and or Michael Gove need to urgently meet with Unite explain what plans are in store for drivers and rule out any relaxation in the driving regulations. The bottom line is that workers have a legal right to not work if they believe they would be placed in danger.”
Lorry driver and Unite member Mick Johnson transports container loads from Hull and Immingham. He explained that toilet facilities at both ports were already difficult to access and that there is no canteen on either of the sites.
“The government is hoping for the best and praying the worst doesn’t happen. If we’re looking at longer delays then there’s going to be real problems and nobody is making provisions for that,” Johnson said.
The Freight Transport Association and other logistics organisations have also raised concerns about the government’s lack of preparations for disruptions under a no deal Brexit. In September, the FTA said it has been asking ministers questions “for some time without any response so our concern
23 uniteWORKS Autumn 2019
is that we’re going to get much closer (to crashing out with no preparations in place)”.
The increased pressures that tired out lorry drivers will face under a no deal Brexit will be familiar to many London bus drivers. A Loughborough University report from August found that 21 per cent of bus drivers had to ‘fight sleepiness’ at least twice a week. Thirty six per cent had a ‘close call’ from fatigue in the last year and 17 per cent had fallen asleep at least once while driving.
Unite bus driver and rep Bao Singh said, “We are pressured to take risks like breaking the speed limit and skip our breaks. There are often no facilities so we don’t have the time nor the place to use the toilet for hours.”
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