In times of financial restraint you would expect many construction employers to make cutbacks in expenditure. Hourly rates, digs allocation and assistance with motor mileage all have all been reduced for many plant operators that need to move around the UK to retain employment.
Now I hear that a prominent employer of plant operators is sending their workforce on CPCS tests and telling the operators that they will have to commute to and from the training venue at their own expense and not to expect any payment for the day, whilst they are away from work, and undergoing testing or training ! Notwithstanding this disgusting treatment of long suffering plant operators the greedy employer still grabs the grant payment.
Is this the 21st Century or are these Luddite employers on another planet? Many of the operators that are receiving this treatment are in a Catch 22 situation where they risk getting fired if they kick up too much of a stink.
When you hear of this mean spirited and probably illegal acts by employers, (reg13 of MHSWR), is it any small wonder that highly skilled operatives are giving their employers, "two fingers" and opting for a better quality of life stacking shelves. When industry picks up and is rejuvenated it will be seeking trained and tested plant operatives.
Who could recommend the construction industry for young plant operators with this type of treatment being meted out.