weekly rest.

Not if it breaks the law.

bit difficult to claim that a reduced weekly rest does not give enough sleep etc - reduced daily rest = yes

Claiming a safety issue or a breach of contract is the only way a driver can get the upper hand on an employer who legally plans for such

no laws for work/life balance

If everyone sticks together then you might have a chance as they are effectively changing the terms and conditions of your employment. However, the first four words of the above sentence should be enough to tell you that you've no chance.

YES THEY CAN but its up to you and your contact as to whether you accept it or not

Surely your contract states what your required hours are, are they trying to change the terms of your contract or does this new shift pattern fit in those hours?

Started job 5 years ago mon -fri nights basic hours 37,2 years ago we were given 30 days notice that they were changing our shift pattern to a 6 week rolling pattern no change to basic hours or any other terms and conditions. Then about 4 months ago they said they wanted to change again as it would give them more weekend cover as at the moment some of the lorrys are parked up over the weekend.talks with union try to find a suitable shift pattern,they are finding it hard to come up with a suitable shift pattern. Only grey area in our contacts are some overtime maybe required,definition of some overtime is?