Staff unions protest at BRSL shake-out
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by Jahn Darker
• The massive reorganization of British Road Services Ltd, involving the establishment of seven regional trading companies each with its own managing director and a small supporting board, has run into quite predictable opposition from the trade unions. Last week the trade union side of the company joint committee for white collar staff made the "strongest possible protest about the arbitrary and precipitate fashion in which the BRS management had dealt with the proposal to reorganize the company".
In a lengthy meeting the management's plans were subjected to the closest scrutiny by the trade union side. The staff unions told BRS they could see no value at all to the company if the plans were implemented and they were merely prepared to note the management's proposals whilst referring the whole matter to. national level where it would be progressed by Mr K. Jackson, secretary of the BRS National Staff Council trade union side.
Notwithstanding this, the trade union team said they were forced to recognize that because of the management's action in releasing information to staff before there had been any detailed discussion with the trade unions, a number of staff had already left the service, others were planning to leave and the remainder were concerned about their future. Accordingly, special meetings would be convened by the trade unions at Cardiff, Norwich, Birmingham and London in order to discuss the problem in detail with local management and staff concerned.
BRS management said no redundancy notices would be issued prior to August 21. Thereafter, notices would be issued in accordance with the Contracts of Employment Act. Staff declared redundant would be entitled to severance payments under the BRS Agreement together with a lump sum free of tax which would be based on the period of notice due to them under the Agreement.
The Company was also prepared to pay 39 weeks excess travel costs to staff moving offices with a further promise of 13 weeks after that period and subsequent reviews at 13 weeks intervals.
It was stated at the meeting that the trade unions were seeking a review at national level of the present redundancy arrangements. The management confirmed that a working party was progressing this matter urgently at National Freight Corporation level. It was agreed that those staff who had already left the service, or who might leave before final agreement was reached on any aspect of the redundancy arrangements, would be suitably compensated.