Reporter Adrian Darbyshire speaks to DCCL chief executive Nick Black
---------------
1) Have drivers agreed to the ending of the unpaid lunch break?
Mr Black: Drivers have accepted the lunch break will no longer be paid but are insisting they have a minimum guaranteed week of 42 hours, which is what was in place before the change of contracts. This means that the five hours lost to them through the changes to lunch breaks will have to be replaced by five additional hours, so the pay bill will remain unchanged.
2) Have they agreed to losing £2,000 to £3,000 from their pay packets?
Mr Black: No, the insistence on a 42 hour minimum week means that there will be no loss of pay.
3) Why is changing driving hours necessary to make the savings? What are those changed hours and are they already in operation?
Mr Black: The new driving time of 4 hours 30 minutes replaces the old 3 hours 45 minutes. Length of driving time determines how long a driver can be at the wheel without a break and how many additional drivers are needed. A 42 hour week equates to almost 8 and a half paid hours a day. The most efficient way to use this time is in two pieces of duty, otherwise additional breaks are needed. With a driving time of 3 hours 45 minutes, two pieces of duty would total only 7 hours 30 minutes, leaving almost an hour a day that could not be used without a third piece of duty. Continuing the old driving time and old hourly minimum would create significant inefficiency.
4) Can drivers still claim a paid tea break?
Mr Black: Both old and new contracts say that second and subsequent breaks are paid. With 3 hours 45 minutes driving time and a minimum week of 42 hours, duties would have to have two breaks, the second of which will remain paid.
5) How do driving hours compare with UK?
Mr Black: In the UK, including central London, a driver is expected to drive for up to five and a half hours before a break. Our new contracts allow a maximum driving time of four and a half hours with a 10 minute toilet break within that time.
6) Do drivers have facility to use the toilet within their extended hours?
Mr Black: Yes, the new duties provide for a break of at least 10 minutes at a location that has suitable facilities.