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AN INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT FROM WALSH WESTERN INTERNATIONAL (WWI)
WORKING TIME REGULATIONS - GOOD, BAD OR PLAIN UGLY?

WWI spokesperson: Phil Cocking, UK managing director

INTRODUCTION:
The recent amendments to the Working Time Directive have caused much concern across the whole of the freight industry. The intention of the new working time regulations is to improve the health and safety of both mobile and non-mobile workers and increase the overall quality, safety and efficiency of this sector. However many companies and workers are fearing it will have a negative impact on the whole sector, as it will affect areas such as driver resources and pay, customer costs and company margins. It represents many changes to working operations of virtually every freight transport company within the UK. Here Phil Cocking, managing director of Walsh Western International (WWI), discusses the issues many supply chain and logistics providers are facing surrounding the legislation and how he believes it will impact working practices across businesses as a whole.

WWI VIEWPOINT:
The Working Time Directive legislation is being introduced in various phases over the next two years. Any company that operates or uses a transportation, logistics or supply chain provider will be affected, as the legislation is relevant to all EU drivers, warehouse and office staff. The directive aims to ensure drivers in particular work fewer hours and have longer breaks in order to improve safety and efficiency. Unfortunately, although the principles are good, I think that it is more a case of European Parliament interfering once again without clearly thinking the practicalities through.

There appears to be total confusion within the industry, not just about the effects but also how to implement it. Whether the regulations can increase efficiency, remains to be seen. There are many employees that are happy to work more than the stipulated 48 hours per week and I foresee a majority of workers being asked to sign the opt-out agreement so companies are still able to meet customer demands.

The major worry for most companies is that the ruling will restrict the geographical area that they will realistically be able to operate in. For instance if a driver delivers to Scotland, he will now have to take a vastly increased break compared to current working practices. This means another driver needs to accompany him to drive the vehicle back, otherwise customer delivery times will have to be extended. So logistics companies will be caught in the middle - they will have to comply with the regulations which means employing more drivers but that means an extra cost to the customer. If this becomes a reality it will not be welcomed by anyone. Again if employers do need to find more drivers to meet delivery deadlines, where will this resource come from? The industry is already facing a driver shortage without this added pressure.

I agree employees shouldn't be forced to work long hours, and that there must also be ways of increasing efficiency while continuing to meet rising customer demands. I think the best way to look at the regulations is to see it as an opportunity to take a hard look at business processes. If both manufacturers and transportation companies collaborate and decrease inefficiencies it could end up being a blessing in disguise. In essence I believe the regulations will simply need to be one huge time management exercise in order for it to work as successfully as European Parliament is hoping.

Walsh Western International (WWI) is one of Europe's fastest growing supply chain solution service providers. WWI provides fulfilment, reverse logistics, transportation and dynamic in-transit merge solutions to a broad range of customers with particular focus on the high tech and healthcare sectors.

The company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland and has operations throughout Europe. For further information on the company please visit www.walshwestern.com.

For further information, contact:

Laura Seago / Ali Lubbock, Berkeley PR
Tel: +44 (0)118 988 2992
Fax: +44 (0)118 988 6911
e-mail: laura.seago@berkeleypr.co.uk
           ali.lubbock@berkeleypr.co.uk

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