Hours worked by employees in the UK are among the longest in the developed world.

Readers who, like me, make a living as an lgv (or hgv) freight driver will not find this hard to believe.

Because of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) on the 48-hour working week, due to become effective within the UK and the EU in 2005, this long-hours culture, where we are used to working excessive overtime in order to earn a reasonable living, is coming to an end.

Many freight drivers will by now be muttering something to the effect of: "How can I live on a 48-hour pay week? Will my job be secure if a driver can only work 48 hours?"

Members of the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&GWU) are doing something to achieve a 48-hour week with no loss of pay.

Over the next two years, we will be holding regular meetings for freight drivers at which we will debate and discuss the implications of the EWTD as it affects us at local and national level.

Our representatives, in discussion with the Government on framing this legislation, are consulting with members so the 48-hour week works for our benefit.

It is vital that we recruit members and build our local membership among lorry drivers in Sussex.

This Sunday, October 20, we will be holding a meeting for T&GWU truck-driver members and drivers and road transport workers interested in joining the T&GWU at the meeting room at the Horley T&GWU offices at 11.30am.

For further details, call me on 01273 673399 or the T&GWU offices on 01323 724224.

-Rachael Webb, freight-driver member of the T&GWU, Arundel Street, Brighton