GB railfreight driver

[Driverjay]

Hi, does anyone work or know much about GB railfreight. Are they a good company to work for? Are the jobs secure? Good terms and conditions etc?
I am currently a driver on the passenger side and fancy a change. I've seen the mobile train driver post and thought it sounded good.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated about wether you think it's a good or a bad move etc.
Thanks

 

[Signal_Box]

Whether their good to work will vary wildly from person to person.

If you like to know what your working as per a passenger roster, forget it - roster out Thursday or Friday the week before.

If you follow a chap called “big Jim” he’s a GB driver, he often blogs tales of being messed about job wise, train, car, train, van in one job.

Security is as good as the contrast situation again if you have a family you’ll want security, even with the GBR reorganisation going on drivers won’t be touched so you’ll be okay.

Mobile driver, is pretty much not knowing your arse from your elbow roster wise driver you read of that what you will.

If you fancy freight go for Freightliner intermodal, more or less a passenger roster weeks of certainty, nice out and back jobs, terms, pay isn’t fantastic but there’s security.

 

[Atishyou]

If you're single with no family and a crap social life, go for it.

If you've either got a family or like being able to plan things, I wouldn't bother going to freight unless you fell out with your company.

You'll get no travel facilities unless you're protected. The pension isn't the same as you'll be on now. No Christmas day (or boxing day TOC depending) off either.

 

[Driverjay]

Thanks guys. Knowing what I'm going to be working doesn't bother me at all, it never has done but it would be nice to know what the actual days are that I'm working.
Would they still have a rest day pattern to follow?
Atishyou, you mentioned the pension. Are they not all the same? I'm currently on a final salary pension scheme. Do you know what GB rail freight have? I've tried to Google it but nothing is coming up.
I'm sure ASLEF used to have a page on their website which says what each companies main terms and conditions are but can't find it. I'll take another look.

 

[lammergeier]

I'm not sure if pax drivers are eligible for this role - it specifically states they want experienced freight drivers, whereas on their other adverts it's clearer that TOC drivers are eligible to apply. Can't hurt to apply I suppose but I wouldn't count on being accepted, assuming the advert is accurate.

 

[Crazyb]

Thanks guys. Knowing what I'm going to be working doesn't bother me at all, it never has done but it would be nice to know what the actual days are that I'm working.
Would they still have a rest day pattern to follow?
Atishyou, you mentioned the pension. Are they not all the same? I'm currently on a final salary pension scheme. Do you know what GB rail freight have? I've tried to Google it but nothing is coming up.
I'm sure ASLEF used to have a page on their website which says what each companies main terms and conditions are but can't find it. I'll take another look.

I don't want to say his name on here, but the best guy to speak to is the union guy at P'boro. I think he's the DFC rep and does the pay negotiations etc etc and will give all the advice you need, very approachable. His name should be in the book.

 

[muddythefish]

Thanks guys. Knowing what I'm going to be working doesn't bother me at all, it never has done but it would be nice to know what the actual days are that I'm working.
Would they still have a rest day pattern to follow?
Atishyou, you mentioned the pension. Are they not all the same? I'm currently on a final salary pension scheme. Do you know what GB rail freight have? I've tried to Google it but nothing is coming up.
I'm sure ASLEF used to have a page on their website which says what each companies main terms and conditions are but can't find it. I'll take another look.

If you're on a DB pension and your prospective new company is DC, I would think long and hard about moving. And then not do it. Biggest mistake I made

 

[guard1]

Hi, does anyone work or know much about GB railfreight. Are they a good company to work for? Are the jobs secure? Good terms and conditions etc?
I am currently a driver on the passenger side and fancy a change. I've seen the mobile train driver post and thought it sounded good.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated about wether you think it's a good or a bad move etc.
Thanks

I saw that vacancy for mobile train driver myself and was thinking about applying for it. However, I was put off by them offering expenses as a fixed amount which I think is on the low side if you're expected to work away all week in decent hotels/eating out.

 

[4-SUB 4732]

I'm not sure if pax drivers are eligible for this role - it specifically states they want experienced freight drivers, whereas on their other adverts it's clearer that TOC drivers are eligible to apply. Can't hurt to apply I suppose but I wouldn't count on being accepted, assuming the advert is accurate.

GB have effectively decided that they don’t want passenger guys on the basis that they require almost as much time and attention as a trainee off the street. So they’re going to go down the road of direct recruitment and freight poaching.

They’ve got a lot of issues at their core which means I would recommend simply avoiding, not least because of safety and assurance issues.

 

[The One]

Those boys are not going to pay that kind of salary for a straight forward easy life I do believe flexibility is the name of the game on that contract

 

[baz962]

Just looking at the ad . Not bad salary , blimey.

 

[Lewlew]

I'm sure ASLEF used to have a page on their website which says what each companies main terms and conditions are but can't find it. I'll take another look.

It's still on there. You need to be logged in to the new member area to see it now. However it is still often out of date.

https://aslef.org.uk/company/gb-railfreight

 

[4-SUB 4732]

Those boys are not going to pay that kind of salary for a straight forward easy life I do believe flexibility is the name of the game on that contract

But the salary / hour is not as good as DB, and with lesser Ts and Cs.

GB accept privately that their tactic was to wait for a hoped-for redundancy of drivers who’d be so desperate to stay driving post-COVID they’d go to them. But in the event they didn’t, now they’ll need to pay up.

 

[Stigy]

Just looking at the ad . Not bad salary , blimey.

That must be fairly recently negotiated? I’m sure I looked a few months ago and it was a lot lower?

On a par with ROG, but again, they seem to be run ragged and sent all over the place with not great T&Cs? Never seen a FOC other than them paying this sort of money, or more than any TOC for that matter either. I notice it’s for a 41 hour, 5 day week too.

 

[GB]

That salary is specifically for the mobile driver contract. The regular driver contract (34.5hr week) is about £15k lower and without the "additional" £15K p.a

 

[Stigy]

That salary is specifically for the mobile driver contract. The regular driver contract (34.5hr week) is about £15k lower and without the "additional" £15K p.a

I assume “mobile driver” just means go where you’re told then?

 

[GB]

Yes, living in a hotel for weeks and months from what I gather.

 

[guard1]

I could imagine paying for hotels doing London work (probably where the demand for drivers is) would burn through that 15k pretty quickly doing 4-5 night stays a week.

 

[Driverjay]

Thanks everyone. Really appreciate the replies. I think I'll stay where I am for now. I'm happy where I am but sometimes feel a change is nice and good for you.
It's a lot of money but like someone said, 15k is not going to go far if I need to get a hotel in London, fuel to get me there and food etc.
I think what's putting me off the most is the pension. I'm final salary at the moment so if they haven't got that then I don't think it would be a good move.

 

[GB]

I could imagine paying for hotels doing London work (probably where the demand for drivers is) would burn through that 15k pretty quickly doing 4-5 night stays a week.

The hotels are paid by the company. Part of the 15k is for the lodging allowance and food/dinner.

 

[lammergeier]

Surely they would put you up in a hotel? I thought the extra was to tempt drivers away from elsewhere, recognising that you're away from home constantly

 

[Driverjay]

The hotels are paid by the company. Part of the 15k is for the lodging allowance and food/dinner.

If you don't have to spend all of that money or work away for a week or 2 I wonder if you'd still get paid the extra?
I need some clarification on the pension too. Maybe I'll email the company to find that out before I make a decision on applying or not. Thank you for the reply.

 

[lammergeier]

If you don't have to spend all of that money or work away for a week or 2 I wonder if you'd still get paid the extra?
I need some clarification on the pension too. Maybe I'll email the company to find that out before I make a decision on applying or not. Thank you for the reply.

It looks contractual so I'd have thought yes, you'd get it. Good luck getting a reply from GB HR I emailed them about a job weeks ago and still no reply, usual railway recruitment rules apply

 

[Biscuit 56]

I emailed them just before Christmas, they replied with 10 mins

 

[Scouserail87]

Advert also says you'd be given a van or hire car to travel to where they need you so I can't see why you'd need to budget for fuel either.

Sounds like a good position for the right person, with the potential to earn a lot of money if you can deal with the time away.

 

[Driverjay]

Advert also says you'd be given a van or hire car to travel to where they need you so I can't see why you'd need to budget for fuel either.

Sounds like a good position for the right person, with the potential to earn a lot of money if you can deal with the time away.

I agree. I just need to find out how often you'd be away and if they still follow a set rest day pattern. I also need to find out more about the pension scheme.

It looks contractual so I'd have thought yes, you'd get it. Good luck getting a reply from GB HR I emailed them about a job weeks ago and still no reply, usual railway recruitment rules apply

Thanks. Hopefully I'll get a reply sooner rather than later then.

 

[choochoochoo]

Sounds like a good job. If I wasn't a TOC driver and it was a defined benefit pension I'd be all over it !!

 

[Atishyou]

Thanks guys. Knowing what I'm going to be working doesn't bother me at all, it never has done but it would be nice to know what the actual days are that I'm working.
Would they still have a rest day pattern to follow?
Atishyou, you mentioned the pension. Are they not all the same? I'm currently on a final salary pension scheme. Do you know what GB rail freight have? I've tried to Google it but nothing is coming up.
I'm sure ASLEF used to have a page on their website which says what each companies main terms and conditions are but can't find it. I'll take another look.

Nope, not all the same. I believe they bought their drivers out of the DB scheme and their staff are all now in a DC scheme, not final salary, probably career average at best.

 

[Val3ntine]

GB Railfreight Limited – Pioneering the digital rail freight revolution.

careers-gbrailfreight.icims.com

Here is the link for anyone interested.

“

Mobile Train Driver​

Job LocationsUK
Posted Date3 weeks ago(13/12/2021 10:26 AM)
Job ID 2021-2107

Overview​

Do you love train driving and can’t get enough of it?
Are you wishing for a role where no day is the same?
Where hard work is appreciated and rewarded?

If the answers are ‘yes, yes, yes’, then we may have the opportunity just for you!

We have several Mobile Train Manager/Driver (MTM) vacancies available for qualified freight drivers nationwide.

This is a mobile role, which means that you will be given a van or hire car and will be asked to work from any GB Railfreight location as per the business requirements to help us deliver our services across the United Kingdom. This may mean lodging away from home for weeks at a time and travelling the country.

In return for your flexibility and hard work, you will receive full location specific training, including routes and traction training, as well as the opportunity to become a mentor, instructor, and assessor.
You will also receive the following financial rewards:

• A basic salary of £74,205 per annum for a 41 hour/5 day week.
• An additional £15,000 per annum payment to cover:
  • Lodge allowance
  • Mentoring/instructing/assessing
  • Travel to and from locations

The £15,000 per annum payment will be made in quarterly instalments (4 times a year) at a rate of £3,750 per instalment.

This package equates to an earning potential of £89,205 per annum.

If interested, please apply or contact me on [email protected] should you have any questions.

 

[Signal_Box]

Christ !

£15k pa to basically be a tramper to coin a trucking term.

Week one Devon & Cornwall working your way up the country to finish on week three in Newcastle potentially, driving and lodging as the firm see fit.

I bet the roster will be as tight as a fishes backside with maximum 12hr turns and minimum 12hr rest inbetween.
But are drivers covered by the duty + travel 12hrs rule ?

You have to ask why do they have adverts, long running ones for each depot they operate ?

I saw that vacancy for mobile train driver myself and was thinking about applying for it. However, I was put off by them offering expenses as a fixed amount which I think is on the low side if you're expected to work away all week in decent hotels/eating out.

I wonder if you pay out then claim back, and have to arrange your own accommodation or they do it for you.