BREAKDOWN AT THE AA
Fresh crisis as mechanics quit in droves over brutal cost cuts
THE AA is facing a growing crisis with claims that breakdown patrol drivers are quitting in droves over demanding working conditions and unrealistic response times.
Many drivers are said to be unhappy after the debt-laden company switched rotas last October, which they say dealt them longer hours and forces them to work overtime.
They claim the service is getting overstretched at customers’ expense. And they allege that patrolmen are also feeling under pressure to constantly sell products to drivers, such as new batteries for cars.
Three separate sources told the Mail that up to 160 drivers had quit over the past six to 12 months in the wake of the changes.
The AA insists there has been no spike in leavers. However, the turmoil comes as the group is undergoing an overhaul in order to bring down debt.
it is also fighting a court case with former executive chairman bob Mackenzie who was sacked last year following a punch-up with a fellow executive.
One insider said: ‘ it’s an extremely stressful job at the moment. We have got leavers like you would not believe. They have had enough of the mess things are in and the stress that is being put on them. The impact on customers is massive, because they are absolutely falling short.’
The AA is battling to pay down more than £2.7bn of debt. it has also had to restructure the business following the departure of Mackenzie. in October the firm made changes to the rota which AA drivers claim leaves them doing more overtime and with fewer rest days in a row.
The AA said it has 2,900 of its own patrols, which some sources say has fallen from more than 3,500 several years ago. This has also coincided with a fall in membership numbers. in February, new boss simon breakwell announced a major restructuring plan to help boost profits and membership. However, Paul Grafton of the GMb union said: ‘The AA needs to review shift patterns and take on board work-life balance from their staff. if they fail to do so, they can expect more and more patrols to leave and will be unable to replace them.’
The AA said that it was planning to create 65 roadside patrol jobs and 200 more in customer services. it also said patrolmen typically stayed at the firm for 11 years, which was above the industry average.
An AA spokesman said: ‘ We totally refute these allegations. At the AA we pride ourselves both on the quality of the service we provide to our customers and members, and on the expertise and customer service ethos of all of our colleagues.’
it added that drivers’ contracted hours remained the same.