Workforce Agreement

We are writing to inform you that Accelerate Personnel Ltd (“Agency”) intends to implement a Workforce Agreement (“Agreement”) for all HGV drivers.

Purpose of the Workforce Agreement

The proposed Agreement will permit two modifications to standard working time provisions under the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 (“Regulations), specifically for temporary HGV drivers placed at client sites. The goal is to balance operational requirements with the health, safety, and welfare of all agency drivers.

Scope and Application

The Agreement will apply to all HGV drivers employed by the Agency and temporarily assigned to client sites. It does not apply to any permanent employees of client companies or other agency workers outside of the driving category.

Duration of the Agreement

This Agreement will be in effect for 5 years unless terminated or revised earlier by mutual agreement.

Terms of Agreement

Under the proposed terms of the Agreement:

1. NIGHT WORK LIMIT –  Drivers may work beyond the 10-hour night work limit set out in the regulations, but only to the extent where this would not breach any of the other provisions of the Regulations or EU Driver’s Hours Regulations 3820/85.

2. REFERENCE PERIOD –
2.1 For the purposes of calculating the 48 hours per week average the statutory reference period will be extended to 26 week periods (rather than 17 weeks) and will be calculated over successive 26 week periods as set out below,

2.2 The first day of the 26 week reference period will begin on 00:00 hours on a Monday. The reference periods that will apply are:

2.2.1 The first Monday in April to the Sunday immediately after the last Monday in September
And:
2.2.2 The first Monday in October to the Sunday immediately after the last Monday in March.

3. These changes are permitted under Regulations 4(4) and 9(2) of the Regulations.

Driver Welfare and Safety

The Agency prioritises the health and safety of its drivers. Any modifications to working time or rest breaks will be made with careful consideration of safety. Drivers have the right to refuse any work that would jeopardise their safety.

Workforce Representatives

As part of this process, it is important that agency workers are represented in discussions about the Agreement before it is entered into. Therefore, we invite you to participate in the selection of Worker Representatives who will act on behalf of the workforce.

The following drivers have put themselves forward for the role of Worker Representatives: Steven Holland, Aidan Ingham.

We are content to discuss the proposed Agreement with the above named volunteers but you do have the opportunity to nominate yourself as a representative if you wish to do so. depending on the number of volunteers we may need to hold an election to ensure we don’t have too many representatives.

To nominate yourself, please send an email to nomination@acceleratepersonnel.com no later than 4th December 2024 stating “I wish to nominate myself as a worker representative for the purpose of the proposed Workforce Agreement”, ensuring that your full name and address is included in the email.

If an election becomes necessary we will contact you again after the deadline for nominations has passed.

A copy of the proposed Agreement is attached for your convenience, please click here to view.

If you have any questions about the process or the proposed Workforce Agreement, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Accelerate Personnel Ltd

V2.0291124