BAH-HUMBUG from Freightliner ltd.

[blacksnake]

Warning to all ... This is a rant!!!

Not sure if this is the place to be, but I must bring this to the attention of all who'll listen. I have been an employee of Freightliner Ltd. for 11 years. A bit further down the 'food chain' than a driver, ... container handling is my position... But, company position is irrelevent.

Economicaly, 2009 has suffered from the (alledged) credit crunch, yet every day the staff of this national/international company book on for duty. And every day, WE ... The, backbone, generate a profit for our employer. Every year, thus far, the board of directors has rewarded this commitment with a Christmas bonus ... Granted, the amount varies anually in the form of a gradual redution of the £ figure, but it's still a statement of appriciation.

This year however ... We recieved ... No Bonus, No notification of No Bonus, No explanation/Excuse, No card, No mention or No thanks!!

BAH!!!-(Bloody)-HUMBUG!!! All the times we agreed to work over, work short, pull out to ensure every service from our depot left to time, and we are thanked by a (back handed) slap to the face.

Is it the current economical climate? Well,a card and appology would have sufficed, so, no. Is it the current company buy-out by a Middle Eastern Company? (That's religous, not racist) Doubtful, as the new owners don't sit on the board of directors.

IMHO ... The amount of the gratuity is irrelevent. The fact that my employer neglects to recognize the effort and commitment of it's staff is this years biggest insult, sweeping away the remnants of an already depleated staff moral.

To any Freightliner staff, I request your support in my January F*** YOU Freightliner protest!!! No flexibilty, No co-operation, No last minute rosta changes ... Bah!-Humbug! ... Well they started it!!!

 

[theblackwatch]

Out of interest, how many people here received a Christmas bonus from there employer? I certainly didn't (and never have done, although I was given a diary this year, last year we got a mug!) and I suspect this applies to the majority of people. Perhaps this is a case of 'welcome to the real world'?

 

[blacksnake]

Out of interest, how many people here received a Christmas bonus from there employer? I certainly didn't (and never have done, although I was given a diary this year, last year we got a mug!) and I suspect this applies to the majority of people. Perhaps this is a case of 'welcome to the real world'?

Well ... Believe me theblackwatch I was born into, and have lived, breathed and ate the "real world". I am in no way 'ranting' from a financial soap-box. Last year we received a bottle of bubbly (no mug to drink it out of unfortunately) the year before, Marks & Sparks vouchers. I personally can be very "Bah-Humbug!", but I will still wish Seasons Greetings to my fellow man.

Yes ... anyone in full time employment can consider themselves fortunate, and I do. There are those a lot worse off, and I used to be one of them. But, do people in "the real world" not wish each other a Merry Christmas? I have, many times today, to people whose names I don't even know. Yet the company I work hard for, am committed to, and perform my duties to the best of my abilities for, do not even see fit to say "All the Best" to it's entire workforce .... Well, would you be motivated?

 

[37401]

Warning to all ... This is a rant!!!

Not sure if this is the place to be, but I must bring this to the attention of all who'll listen. I have been an employee of Freightliner Ltd. for 11 years. A bit further down the 'food chain' than a driver, ... container handling is my position... But, company position is irrelevent.

Economicaly, 2009 has suffered from the (alledged) credit crunch, yet every day the staff of this national/international company book on for duty. And every day, WE ... The, backbone, generate a profit for our employer. Every year, thus far, the board of directors has rewarded this commitment with a Christmas bonus ... Granted, the amount varies anually in the form of a gradual redution of the £ figure, but it's still a statement of appriciation.

This year however ... We recieved ... No Bonus, No notification of No Bonus, No explanation/Excuse, No card, No mention or No thanks!!

BAH!!!-(Bloody)-HUMBUG!!! All the times we agreed to work over, work short, pull out to ensure every service from our depot left to time, and we are thanked by a (back handed) slap to the face.

Is it the current economical climate? Well,a card and appology would have sufficed, so, no. Is it the current company buy-out by a Middle Eastern Company? (That's religous, not racist) Doubtful, as the new owners don't sit on the board of directors.

IMHO ... The amount of the gratuity is irrelevent. The fact that my employer neglects to recognize the effort and commitment of it's staff is this years biggest insult, sweeping away the remnants of an already depleated staff moral.

To any Freightliner staff, I request your support in my January F*** YOU Freightliner protest!!! No flexibilty, No co-operation, No last minute rosta changes ... Bah!-Humbug! ... Well they started it!!!

If you dont want your job tell your boss ill be more than happy to take it off you

 

[SouthEastern-465]

Well in these bad economic times I would not think Freighliner would how be to afford Christmas Card for all its employers and what would most of them do with the cards anyway probally throw them away.

As for the payrise you have done normal work so why do you expect one?

 

[GB]

GBRf have given its operating staff £40 worth of Love2Shop vouchers...£10 more than last year. Even got a couple of thankyou's from my manager, and lets be honest...a simple thankyou is not too difficult, especially if you have gone out your way to help the company out.

 

[generalvegitable]

The Christmas Bonus given to most people by their employer is not a right, it is a privilege, it does not say that in your contract of employment that you are entitled to a bonus at the end of the year, the Christmas Bonus is just a sign of good will from the employer to the employee, to say "thanks for being a good employee this year" rather than money the could instead have just sent a christmas card, or given you a day off, but then they don't have to do this, it is not a requirement of any company to give out bonuses at all.

 

[AlexS]

I'm a public sector worker and I didn't get anything from the business specifically.

However we've had the freedom to organise our own christmas celebrations with the result that everything has been rather pleasant and we've had a fairly relaxed festive period despite work levels going through the roof.

My line manager certainly got all of her team presents however!

 

[Old Timer]

I'm a public sector worker and I didn't get anything from the business specifically.

Except an inflation-proof final salary pension scheme that is the envy of everyone else

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

Out of interest, how many people here received a Christmas bonus from there employer? I certainly didn't (and never have done, although I was given a diary this year, last year we got a mug!) and I suspect this applies to the majority of people. Perhaps this is a case of 'welcome to the real world'?

My dad did, he even got some free 1st class stamps as well - same as every year....

 

[Oswyntail]

Except an inflation-proof final salary pension scheme that is the envy of everyone else

Hoary old chestnut that one - and, as usual, has a mouldy core. In the part of the public sector I was in, yes we got that, and yes we had lower than industry average wages to pay for it. It was a trade-off; relative security for life against current higher income. And so New Labour put it about that we had the life of the fat cat, so that they could save money by cutting it. And now they are slashing Ts & Cs so that all aspects are below comparator's averages. Even for those who have put in their 30 years and have no realistic chance to top up their pensions to compensate. Always another side to the coin, isn't there.
And, as for the OP, how many on this board have actually written to their management wishing them a Happy Christmas? Cuts both ways.

 

[AlexS]

The severance terms etc for the civil service are being amended now, pretty much. There was a letter sent out stating that the terms were last revised in 1987 and are overly generous with the current state of things now and I believe they will be changed officially shortly.

I don't get a proper final salary pension scheme - I'm on a career average scheme - this was changed several years ago.

The employer contributions are admittedly extremely generous (I think it's about 17% of gross pay p/m at present), but it's no longer final salary for new entrants.

 

[Death]

Warning to all...This is a rant!!! [I didn't receive a bonus from Freightliner this year]

Well - To be brutally honest - I'd much rather be working for Freightliner and receive no Christmas bonus at the end of the year, as opposed to being signed off work (Blasted learning disability! ) and sat around on my fat backside all day like I generally am nowadays...

By the by: Despite being on full-scale disability benefit and not having done any paid employment for quite some time, I still receive a £10.00 "Christmas bonus" from the DSS every year.
Now I'm definitely not complaining about this at all (I'm most greatful for it!) but does anyone else consider it rather odd?

 

[90019]

Well - To be brutally honest - I'd much rather be working for Freightliner and receive no Christmas bonus at the end of the year, as opposed to being signed off work (Blasted learning disability! ) and sat around on my fat backside all day like I generally am nowadays...

By the by: Despite being on full-scale disability benefit and not having done any paid employment for quite some time, I still receive a £10.00 "Christmas bonus" from the DSS every year.

Wish I got that from just being on the JSA!

 

[37401]

Well - To be brutally honest - I'd much rather be working for Freightliner and receive no Christmas bonus at the end of the year, as opposed to being signed off work (Blasted learning disability! ) and sat around on my fat backside all day like I generally am nowadays...

Totally agree with Death here, some people would kill to get a job for a TOC or a FOC christmas bonus or not

 

[mumrar]

I think everyone's forgetting the OP finished his post saying he was most upset by the lack of any communication of thanks from the management. Also right, but impossible to carry out (at least at XC) would be a thank you to my manager, who's saved lots of leave for Xmas. They do still have to be on call though

 

[blacksnake]

I think everyone's forgetting the OP finished his post saying he was most upset by the lack of any communication of thanks from the management. Also right, but impossible to carry out (at least at XC) would be a thank you to my manager, who's saved lots of leave for Xmas. They do still have to be on call though

Thanks mumrar (for reading ALL my post ) ... The lack of a simple communication is what is 'getting my goat' ... Yes, I'm lucky to be in full time employ, and maybe I've been spoiled over the years, any bonus given that is not contractual is, well, a bonus. (Again) it's not the lack of financial reward that has prompted my 'rant' ... It's the lack of appreciation from a company that has cut back it's workforce at a local level, across all grades, increasing the workload on all it's staff. We were asked for our co-operation in this difficult economic period, which we gave. All's it would take is a simple thanks for the effort, but no.

As for a pay rise ... The train crew fought for, and received theirs, as for staff at an opps level, we are still fighting a loosing battle. Yet still booking on, sucking it up and turning a profit for the 'cats' at the top.

 

[Teaboy1]

Sorry but welcome to reality Blacksnake...!! I too usually received a small xmas card with M&S vouchers...........but not this year!!
The downturn has hit everyone mate not just you........so take your complaint and live with it mate.
The real villains are the banks, so take your business elsewhere away from RBS, Fred-the-Shred is the architect of our down fall not the RF boses. Alistair & Gordon have not helped matters either by hood-winking Lloyds-TSB but that's another story........!

Move your money away from RBS to another bank and sod 'em!!

Dont blame the boss..........he keeps yer wages coming in every month......be grateful for the job you have cos someone else will gladly take!

 

[Death]

Wish I got that from just being on the JSA!

I have a suspicion that it might be because my benefit is considered a permanent one...Although I'm trying as best I can to get myself into a state where I can once again handle full-time employment, I'm currently off under incapacity rules. ad:

Totally agree with Death here, some people would kill to get a job for a TOC or a FOC christmas bonus or not

True, true...And the darndest thing besides is that I - As a Pagan, who considers Xmas day and Boxing day to be normal working days - Would be more than happy to work both days on standard hours and pay, and yet I still can't seem to find a job with any TOC. hock:
Remember my ill-fated attempt at joining SWT a few years ago?

 

[TrainBrain185]

GBRf have given its operating staff £40 worth of Love2Shop vouchers...£10 more than last year. Even got a couple of thankyou's from my manager, and lets be honest...a simple thankyou is not too difficult, especially if you have gone out your way to help the company out.

Bo diddley squat from our place!! Whats Christmas?? I guess GRBf staff are quite fortunate!

 

[Old Timer]

On the day before Christmas Eve, I was with one of our HR ladies who was printing out and sending redundancy notices to people within our Company whose services we are having to dispense with.

These are all good people who have worked hard and did not deserve this, moreso at this time of year.

Because of the financial straits that we are now in, the usual very generous redundancy terms have had to be withdrawn in favour of the legal provisions, and the option of transfers to other operating divisions no longer exists as they are faced with the same problems.

The Company has done this with a very heavy heart indeed as it is not how it prefers to operate. It has a very high reputation for taking care of its employees and the various recruitment agencies are stunned at what they are hearing.

Primarily this has been brought about by Network Rail's ongoing disgraceful, unprofessional, and vindictive approach to its professional Contractors, not helped by the fact that the Country is in a dire financial state.

We continue to reduce our UK operations in favour of work for other administrations who are both more professionally managed and refreshingly willing to work in co-operation with their Infrastructure Contractors.

Those who have jobs are (a) lucky, and (b) may not be in such a good position in the future.

I make this post simply to put the debates about bonuses and christmas cards into perspective with the current situation within the broader Railway Industry right now.