New job on the horizon?

Called into Arriva's Jesmond bus depot in Newcastle today and collected a job application form.  I decided it's for the best after sitting down and having a chat with Pauline about working at the airport and our financial situation, it's basically because I'm earning less now than I did four years ago and the situation is only going to get worse.  Before we even get a pay rise next year inflation to September has to reach an annual rate of 3%, then they will take 2.5% away, as last year's rate was a minus figure, five years on the same wage is no good.  I'm a bit nervous of learning new routes but I'm sure it won't take me too long.  Another good thing it's only half the distance I travel now, though being a five day week I'll travel 100miles instead of 160 and only 8 hour shifts, no more working all night but will still have early mornings which are no problem.  So here's to something going right for a change and a new job!

It's made my day........................

Walking through town after getting my glasses fixed at Specsavers (the bridge piece came off) and my mobile rings. I nudge Pauline "It's Peter from work!" Now I'm thinking do I let her answer or should I do it? but quickly decide that letting her answer could be dangerous. "Hello!"........"It's Peter!"  Then follows one of the most grovelling apologetic speeches I have ever heard, Pauline can hear him from five foot away and laughs.  Boy did it cheer me up! So much so we went to Pizza Hut to celebrate.  A couple of hours later when we get home, there stuck in the letter box is a letter from work telling me that everything has been cancelled and nothing will show on my employee record.  My grievance is being kept on record and the situation monitored.  Heard that Arriva buses are recruiting drivers for their Jesmond depot in Newcastle, money is about 200 a month more than I'm on now and it's a 40 hr week but I'd lose the 4 on 4 off.  That's the one thing that makes the job I have so appealing.  Plus if I leave Peter has gotten what he's after.

Why didn't he do it in the first place?

Had my meeting with the HR and Business Development Managers yesterday.  My disciplinary has been 100 % thrown out the window, there have been further investigations made following my request for certain documents and my grievance letter and they are now 100% sure it was not me involved. Had apologies off both of them for what has happened and the stress it has caused.  Will have to wait and see if I get one off Peter.  Should have a letter to confirm things tomorrow in the post.  Had a 1-2-1 chat off the record with the HR Manager, told him straight they need to sort Peter out and get him some proper training if he is to stay in the job so as to stop these incidents happening.  He all but admitted Peter only got the job because he was cheaper than anyone else to employ.  Also I told him he should get a formal management qualification then he may learn that he cannot treat people the way he does and that there is legislation to stop him if he does.
Another good note I had an e mail from someone whom I care a lot about and not heard from for a few weeks, all is well, which has put my mind at rest, wonder what my 3rd good bit of news is going to be?  We've won the lottery? if only! lolol

SURPRISE PHONE CALL!

Today I had a surprise phone call from the man who is supposed to be doing my disciplinary.  My grievance letter was received yesterday, he has subsequently done further investigations into the allegations made against me and could I go to the airport tomorrow and discuss the matter, I do not need to have my union official present.  I don't like the idea of that so I've informed the car park union shop steward because my mate has been told he cannot official represent me because he's a different area, surely a union guy is a union guy?  My mate is calling round tonight with some pointers for tomorrow, he's really mad that his district will not let him do it.  I also found out that my grievance takes president over my disciplinary as obviously if the guy that's done the initial investigation has a problem with me it could have prejudiced his final decision in bringing the complaint this far.  Well here's to tomorrow! \~/ CHEERS!

Is that a constructive dismissal case I see in the distance?

Got a phone call last Tuesday afternoon, it was my 'boss' from work, could I go in and see him at 10 a.m the following day? I say yes and he puts the phone down.  On the dot the following day I turn up at his office.  He then starts to question me about an incident that happened in the new Express Car Park on Sat 08th May at approx 20:00hrs.  I reply I don't remember anything happening, I'm then told a lady pulled up at the barrier and did not have any money and could not pay her £1.00 parking fee.  I am then supposed to have told her to 'back off' and go and get the money off the people she has just dropped off.  She protests at this saying she has a young child in the car and I ignore her.  She then backs off through quite a bit of traffic and almost runs someone over on the crossing.  I tell him I did have a lady at the barrier with a young child in the car and no money but whether that was Friday, Sat or Sunday I can't remember.  I do know I have never told anyone to reverse off the barrier and go and get the money especially when it's busy.  He says it's 100% positive that it was me and that I am suspended for seven days pending investigation by his bosses.

On the way home it suddenly occurs to me that I was on the bus first thing Sat evening as I can remember calling Pauline when she was in the middle of her Chinese take-away and having a go at her because I didn't have any bait and she's telling me how nice the BBQ ribs were.  After confirming I was on the bus with the Team Leader who was on duty(which is a no-no lol) I telephoned my boss and told him it wasn't me, as I was on the bus Sat until at least 21:00hrs, is he sure it's not one of the seasonal ops/drivers who from behind and at the distance the CCTV camera is could look like me?  I was not on the bus as the CCTV shows 150% that it was me at the barrier.

Shortly after this I get a call from my Team Leader, I'd phoned him first to see if he could remember me being on the bus on Sat evening, but he wasn't home and I left a message.  He told me that I was on the bus, Jim was doing the Novotel run and helping off-site out and Ian(the guy who could be mistaken for me on the CCTV) was at the Express Car Park.

This morning I get all the disciplinary letters etc. from the big boss confirming what had allegedly happened.  Obviously no one has checked the Drivers' Hours Log which will confirm that I was on the bus until 21:00hrs, unless someone has doctored it of course!  I've got my grievance complaint all written out ready to hand in and just need to make an appointment to go and see the CCTV footage for myself.

WTFHIWWM?

I was feeling rather good about life in general this morning, then, I started to think. What a mistake that was! I'm now in the depths of depression and feeling if I put my thoughts down in black and white I'll be whisked off to the 'nut-house' and put on 24 hour suicide watch, maybe not such a bad idea!  Nice comfy air-conditioned padded cell, drugged up to the eyeballs so I've no idea if it's today,tomorrow, yesterday or ten years time.  Nothing to worry about, no cares in the world, just lying there in a drug induced catatonic state, sounds like bliss!

Feelingsssssssssssss......

Well I know it's strange as it's not been any longer than usual but I feel 'lonely'  By that I mean lonely in an 'inner me' sense.  It's been two weeks since I've seen or heard anything of/from/about someone close.  Maybe they're busy straightening out their life I don't know, it's just strange not seeing any sign of them.  I do hope all is well!