Amazon Drivers 'work Illegal Hours'

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37708996

In the past, I have been questioned and ridiculed about my refusal to use Amazon, but this explains everything.

[Old_Geezer]

If a company is abusing it's staff then the staff ought to report them and then leave. I left my long time employment when management imposed unacceptable changes to conditions. If everyone did that then companies couldn't get away with trying it on.

Shows why unions are so important.

[fiction-factory]

Clearly any abuse of the minimum wage rules should be tackled, but we are only hearing here from those who can't make the terms work for them- maybe they are not as efficient as they should be. On the other side it could be that the company's workload demands need to take more account of traffic flows etc so need to be variable. I bet there are many amazon drivers (like uber drivers) who like the flexibility just as many on zero hours contracts (like me) love the arrangements and are happy to forgo some of teh things like holiday pay or sick pay

[mushroom25]

this is just the tip of the iceberg mikey, as all delivery companies are the same. partly the fault of a massive increase in traffic over the past 5-10 years that logistics managers haven't taken account of, partly the company expecting all deliveries to take the same (short) length of time without taking into account naturally occurring faffing by the public, drivers don't have sufficient time to complete their rounds without incurring performance based penalties. to compensate, some drivers speed, some drivers fiddle their hours and others (and I've had this happen many times) pre-complete "sorry you were out" cards to eliminate some deliveries to make up time. so focused are drivers on making that next delivery that nothing else matters and this often results in accidents.

if you were to do you principled stance justice mikey, you wouldn't have anything delivered by courier.

[mikey4444]

OG...that is exactly what Unions are for...what a pity that Amazon bans them.

Mush....I don't think I have much, if anything delivered by courier these days.

The next time anybody uses Amazon, and thinks...that was a good price and wasn't it delivered quickly !, will now know why and how.

[Baldric]

The prices are normally competitive, the service is usually good, that's all I need to know, end of story.

[mikey4444]

So Amazon drivers, being paid below the legal minimum wage, driving around the country at break-neck speeds, and being encouraged by their management to break the law over seat belts doesn't concern you then Baldric ?

You should get a job as Manager at your nearest Amazon depot....they would love you ! You are just the man they are looking for !

[Baldric]

Give it a rest for once will you, you're like a broken record.
I don't/never have given a stuff for unions and if you don't like your job then don't do it, simples!

[EDDIE51]

Not just the drivers, there are very bad reports about working conditions in the distribution centers as well.

[mikey4444]

Eddie...there have been those bad reports for many years, but as long as there are people like Baldric around, that will ride rough-shod over the backs of workers, just to save a few pennies, then what hope is there ?

However, if Amazon and its associated Companies are breaking the law, then its up to the relevant Government to act, in the same way that they have acted over Sports Direct. Inaction just condones bad employment practises.

[-Talbot-]

mikey4444
Question Author
So Amazon drivers, being paid below the legal minimum wage, driving around the country at break-neck speeds, and being encouraged by their management to break the law over seat belts doesn't concern you then Baldric ?

You should get a job as Manager at your nearest Amazon depot....they would love you ! You are just the man they are looking for !




Surely Baldric's career choices are off topic!

[mikey4444]

No Talbot....just point out that with his attitude to employment law, he would be welcomed at any Amazon Depot ( sorry...I forgot, Fulfilment Centre !)

[naomi24]

The company says differently, but who knows? I agree with Baldric. People accept the terms when they agree to do the job. If the terms are unacceptable, don’t do the job.

[youngmafbog]

In you rush to slate Amazon you have missed a couple of important things
1) Amazon contracts to Agenices. Whilst they should be ensuring the Agency stcks to the law they cannot ultimately control 100% what goes on.
2) //In a statement Amazon said: "As independent contractors of our delivery providers, drivers deliver at their own pace, take breaks at their discretion, and are able to choose the suggestion route or develop their own."

The company said it expected drivers to be paid a minimum of £12 per hour "before bonuses, incentives and fuel reimbursements", and it required independent delivery providers to ensure drivers were fully licensed and insured and obeyed "all applicable traffic and safety laws".

In the past six months, drivers drove a daily average of 8.5 hours and were on duty for 9.1 hours, it added.//

So looks like the two sides see something different.

So is it a couple of disgruntle employees or is there a problem somewhere?

[youngmafbog]

I agree Naomi, whenever a company has done someting I disagree with we part company.

[Baldric]

It's kind of you to suggest career options for me Mikey, but given the fact I retired just before my 63 Birthday, 2½ years ago, you've left it a bit late.
I was of course able to retire early and very comfortably due to all the pennies I had saved over the years.
;o)

[youngmafbog]

You fascist capitalist saver Baldric :-)

[mikey4444]

YMB.....on your first point.....yes, they can control and should what is going wrong. When people buy an item, they are buying it from Amazon, not some unmentioned 3rd party.

If this was the first report of this nature about Amazon, then I might agree with your last point, but there have been numerous reports of this nature, and its not the first time that Amazon have been investigated by the BBC, or other media sources.

[youngmafbog]

//Amazon have been investigated by the BBC//


oooo they must be quacking in their boots being investigate by the liberal elite at the Biased Broadcasting Corporation.

Every done third party management Mickey? I have BTW.

[youngmafbog]

If the law is being broken then the Police should be investigating not the BBC.

[mikey4444]

YMB....Not sure you are right there. The Police don't normally investigate Employment Law, although the speeding/seat belt concerns are different.