Exel calls for a freeze
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by Amanda Bradbury and Juliet Parish • Around 64 staff at Exel Logistics' Northampton regional distribution depot dedicated to Sainsbury's Homebase will decide this week whether to accept a proposed wage freeze.
Exel is asking 10 drivers and 54 warehouse staff to cut working hours from 50 hours a week to 42.5 hours excluding breaks: Exel says staff will receive the same money for fewer hours worked.
But the company's head of PR David Buck denies Sainsbury's, now 18 months into a five-year contract with Exel, is cutting back volumes handled. "Reduced working hours is what staff at the depot have asked for, and we are looking to create additional opportunities for staff."
But a union source denies staff want to work fewer hours: "We are prepared to work an extended day to prevent agencies coming in."
E The Transport & General Workers Union is advising 3,300 drivers at Exel's sister firms BRS and Pickfords to accept a 2% pay increase for 1994.
BRS has written a clause into its offer which will allow it to put new staff on Continental-style rolling weeks, if the 2,700 drivers in England and Wales accept its proposal. Around 800 fitters and 500 other workers are also considering the BRS offer.