working for just above minimum wage

donkey balls

Hi all,
i recently had an interview for a job (artic truck driver) everything went well driving assessment /interview etc.

Then came the discussion of wages they pay a basic rate of 9.50 Euro per hour whether you work days/nights, the average wage for a driver per hour is roughly 15.00 Euro per hour.

My question is would anyone take the job i really want to work since being let go back in february but find my self not wanting to work for less than the average driver wage.

i know that people are losing jobs every day of the week and i should be grateful if offered the job even though some friends have said that they would rather work in Burgerking/McDonalds than drive for that wage.

all replies welcome

aoibhebree

Any chance of negotiation? And bring up-to-date data to back up the average industrial wage.

Even if you can't get more though, I'd still take the job and continue to look for a better-paying one, as it's a lot easier to find a job when you have one already than when you're unemployed.

gerrycollins

Sorry mate but its an employers market out there.

Average wages per sector no longer exist as we are in a different climate today.

However in your favour if you do start there may be a wage increase per anum. Sadly you have to start back at the bottom rung of the ladder again.

MysticalRain

I'm not sure what to say, other than I think it sucks. Stories like this one have become far too common since the recession began. An artic driver is far from being an unskilled job. Not everyone is a good enough driver to operate an artic, and the hours are long too.

Hopefully if the economy picks up you'll be able to negotiate a pay rise. or jump ship at the first available opportunity.

x in the city

MysticalRain wrote: »

I'm not sure what to say, other than I think it sucks. Stories like this one have become far too common since the recession began. An artic driver is far from being an unskilled job. Not everyone is a good enough driver to operate an artic, and the hours are long too.

Hopefully if the economy picks up you'll be able to negotiate a pay rise. or jump ship at the first available opportunity.

just over 9e an hour sucks donkey balls tbh, no wonder people are hogging up dole offices all over the country

lmao, just noticed the OPs name

um7y1h83ge06nx

I find that very surprising.

I don't know much about the whole haulage industry, but being paid just above min. wage to drive a huge vehicle around the country is terrible.

There's a huge amount of responsibility when driving something that big on our roads.

No advice I'm afraid, just good luck OP.

arctictree

I wonder if hauliers are just being forced to pay this wage becuase contracts are getting tighter and scarcer?

I have lost a few contracts in the last 6 months in my business because I was just too expensive. We may have to reduce wages acrosss the board just so we can compete and take on these contracts.

donkey balls

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies i know wages have to come down and i know a company who have dropped there drivers wage by 1 euro per hour.

The drivers have accepted these measures without complaining but to drag it down to 9.50 whether working days/nights including sat&sun is a disgrace.

I would rather claim the dole and help out in the local community than work for that wage i have worked all my life and it kills
me to be at home having nothing to do but it is a matter of principle for me.

Also this company is just setting up in ireland so if every driver refused to work for 9.50 per hr they might bring there wage upto the industry average.

Another thing they had on the application form is are you single/married or do you own your house or is it a council house/private tenant i have never
come across this in all my years filling out application forms.

mikemac

9.50 per hour is shocking for an articulated lorry driver. Didn't realise things were so bad.

Mrs OBumble

donkey balls wrote: »

some friends have said that they would rather work in Burgerking/McDonalds than drive for that wage.

If you've also been offered a position in BK or McDs, feel free to take it. (Would be fascinated to hear whether you find it less taxing than driving, after you've done it for a few months).

However if this is the only offer you've had for ages, then the labour market might just be saying something to you.

aoibhebree

donkey balls wrote: »

Also this company is just setting up in ireland so if every driver refused to work for 9.50 per hr they might bring there wage upto the industry average.

Well you're very lucky to be in a position to have the choice of refusing it, I doubt too many other applicants will have the choice of doing the same regardless of their "principles".

Anyways, as far as I knew if you're offered a job while on the dole you have to accept it?

thebusoflife

Well we all would like to be getting a preferred Salary amount I'm sure. But in relation to wages, I can imagine the most lenient kindest Companies of old generous Ireland are sticking with the legit. just over €8 starting point. Correct me if I'm wrong. But I see on Job Websites, quite a lot of Companies all seem to fix the given printed Salary amount at just over €9. So at least that's a bit better than the Government €8.

Can you try negogiate a little bit with them. And put some feelers out if you can find out have other Drivers received increases after a certain length of time.

donkey balls

Can you try negogiate a little bit with them. And put some feelers out if you can find out have other Drivers received increases after a certain length of time.

Can you try negogiate a little bit with them. And put some feelers out if you can find out have other Drivers received increases after a certain length of time.

Can you try negogiate a little bit with them. And put some feelers out if you can find out have other Drivers received increases after a certain length of time.

im still waiting on them to over me the position as for hourly rates the average is about 15 euro an hour. i will not drag the industry down by working for 9.50 an hour you even have to pay for your own uniform and training if you leave before six months.

the funny thing is they want good irish drivers who know there way around the country and i have been given the impression that they dont want foreign drivers for obvious reasons(bogey licences no english etc)

i just hope that every one who went for the interveiw will turn them down because of the wage and the company might see the light