The tweet in question, posted by @MrMoFoDC on Sunday, contained an image said to have been taken at Lichfield Tesco RDC. The picture shows a notice explaining that Covid rules have changed and that drivers cannot stay in their cabs due to a site safety measure.
The notice then adds that drivers must go to a waiting room until their load is tipped. According to the notice, failure to do so is considered a “serious safety breach” that will “result in communications with your company directly.”
So,exactly what has changed @Tesco @tesconews
From what I can see,absolutely nothing has changed. It been fine for us to sit in our cabs for the last 2yrs,when it suits you agenda. Ask any driver where they’d rather sit and 99.9% will answer their cab. Are we going back to the pic.twitter.com/eA4MAFbi0y— It’s that’s MO FO D C (@MrMoFoDC) May 22, 2022
Commenting on the policy in the aforementioned tweet, the lorry driver questioned why the change had been made given for the past two years it has been considered ok for drivers to wait in their cabs. The trucker then expressed his frustration at having to stay in a “stinky waiting room”.
The tweet soon attracted plenty of discussion, with many drivers relating to the frustration over the policy.
One class one driver replied to the post by saying:
“This is where drivers should make a stand and companies should back the drivers. It’s utter b*llocks all this and one of the reasons i’d never do bay work full time. Every time i’ve done it, the waiting rooms are an awful experience. It isn’t for me at all.”
Truck and Driver magazine were also unimpressed, tweeting:
“Disgraceful, Tesco. Drivers are tired and stressed enough as it is, they should be allowed to relax in the safety and comfort of their own truck when waiting sometimes hours. Sitting in an uncomfortable communal waiting room should have ended permanently.”
Another lorry driver tweeted:
“It’s a long old walk from the frozen bays at Livingston especially if it’s blowing a hoolie. If you were tipped in under 30 minutes it wouldn’t be so bad sitting in the waiting room but to make you wait hours is ridiculous. Safest place is in your cab.”
Tesco’s press office have been approached for comment. After being tagged in the tweet, the RHA has also confirmed it is “taking up” the matter.
UPDATE – 07.10 GMT / 08.10 CET, 24/05/2022
Tesco has now issued the following statements in relation to this story:
- During the pandemic, we temporarily allowed HGV drivers at our Distribution Centres to stay in their cabs to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
- As we return to normal ways of working, we’re asking our drivers to return to using our depot rest facilities while we tip their vehicle.
- These measures are part of our standard safety procedures, which are now in place across our UK distribution network to protect the safety of our drivers.
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