Higher pay and reduced hours for lorry drivers

Hourly pay rates for lorry drivers at AF Blakemore rose by around 27% this month, as the March 2005 deadline for implementing the Road Transport Directive gets closer. Under the directive, the company will have to reduce its 57-hour week to 48 hours.

The agreement, negotiated by Usdaw, covers around 100 drivers based in the West Midlands and Lincolnshire, who distribute goods to Spar shops nationwide.

Greg Vogiatzis, Usdaw area organiser, praised the company's "proactive" approach. Transport manager Jason Dibble said: "The settlement will bring AF Blakemore in line with European legislation and reduce drivers' hours, with no significant loss of earning potential."

Holiday entitlement also increased under the agreement, from 25 to 30 days plus three public holidays. Drivers will be able to work ten days of their holiday entitlement for extra money, if work is available.