Tesco is hoping to fend off a driver revolt after hundreds of complaints were made by truckers about poor facilities and treatment at its depots.
The row revolves around the length of time taken to turn around vehicles, the poor facilities on offer at Tesco’s depots and staff attitudes to visiting drivers. They have also complained about having to hand over their keys while vehicles are unloaded, meaning they are unable to rest in their cabs. Most of the grievances were logged
on a web site where drivers share their views.
In a letter sent to Tesco chief executive Terry Leahy, also posted on the web site, one driver said the policy risked lives. “After an early morning drive, on arrival at my booking time, I need to catch up on my sleep. I’m kept waiting for an hour or two, if I’m lucky, and then I’m put back on the road more tired than before. This is happening to hundreds of drivers and it’s frightening.”
In response, Tesco transport director Alex Laffey has written to driver representative Barrie Tozer, whom he met with last month, promising a formal review of facilities provided to drivers and an investigation into alternatives to the vehicle key control process.
In the letter, seen by The Grocer, Laffey said work still needed to be done to improve turnaround times.He promised: “I assure you it has the required focus within Tesco to keep progressing and developing… We will continue to resolve the current concerns you’ve raised.”
Rachel Barnes
The row revolves around the length of time taken to turn around vehicles, the poor facilities on offer at Tesco’s depots and staff attitudes to visiting drivers. They have also complained about having to hand over their keys while vehicles are unloaded, meaning they are unable to rest in their cabs. Most of the grievances were logged
on a web site where drivers share their views.
In a letter sent to Tesco chief executive Terry Leahy, also posted on the web site, one driver said the policy risked lives. “After an early morning drive, on arrival at my booking time, I need to catch up on my sleep. I’m kept waiting for an hour or two, if I’m lucky, and then I’m put back on the road more tired than before. This is happening to hundreds of drivers and it’s frightening.”
In response, Tesco transport director Alex Laffey has written to driver representative Barrie Tozer, whom he met with last month, promising a formal review of facilities provided to drivers and an investigation into alternatives to the vehicle key control process.
In the letter, seen by The Grocer, Laffey said work still needed to be done to improve turnaround times.He promised: “I assure you it has the required focus within Tesco to keep progressing and developing… We will continue to resolve the current concerns you’ve raised.”
Rachel Barnes
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