Enforced overtime

I drive dayshift for a firm with a depot in central Scotland, and I normally start at 7.30am. I never know where I'll be going until I turn up in the morning and collect my manifest for that day. What's annoying is that, although I could have a local run, I could equally be sent to Aberdeen, Stranraer, or anywhere in between.

The company works on the basis of an 8-hour day, with paid overtime on top of that. A long run or a late booking will almost certainly mean a shift of 10-14 hours, which doesn't allow me (or my fellow drivers) to plan any sort of social life during the week. What the planner is doing is effectively forcing us to do overtime whether we like it or not. I have lost count of the number of times I've arranged to go out with friends, and had to cancel because I'm still halfway down the A90 at 8 o'clock at night.

Yes, I know trucking will never be 9-5, or anything close to that, however, I don't particularly need the extra money, I'd far rather have a life outside of work, thank-you.

Any thoughts/comments anybody?

Very constructive, thanks.

Maybe I should go for the shelf-stacking job at Asda; the hourly pay'll be about the same & at least I'll know my finishing time....