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FPI drivers heading for US want answers

17th February 2000
Page 7
Page 7, 17th February 2000 — FPI drivers heading for US want answers
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Keywords : Truck Driver, Trucks

F4 There is growing unease this week among drivers registered on the First Point International (FPI) truck drivers' programme following the arrest of David Webster, who was until recently chief executive of FPI (Europel (CM 10-16 Feb).

Webster was arrested in Orlando. Florida last week and charged with visa irregularities. At a preliminary hearing last week additional charges were brought against him ''involving business at FPI directly".

Webster is understood to have been granted bail but was ordered to provide a $1m bond, 5250,000 cash and to wear an electronic tag to ensure he complies with a court order to remain in Orlando.

Last week Webster was due to attend a hearing at Hitchin County Court where be had applied to remain as a director of named companies following an eight-year dis

qualification last year CM 2-8 Dec 1999). His application was dismissed and FPI has confirmed that Webster has resigned as a director of all OK companies.

FPI says: "We do not see how David Webster's current situation can affect

our programme". A recent letter from a US immigration attorney to FPI vice-president Philip Lyons states: "Your Truck Driver Programme appears to comply with the required DOL and INS rules and regulations."

However, some drivers remain disillusioned. Stephen Ferguson says he joined the programme in September 1997 when he was just 20— too young to hold a British HGV licence. He claims he was not told that US truck companies require drivers to be at least 23 years old for insurance purposes, but FPI maintains he was made "fully aware of the requirements" early on.

Another FPI client, who

prefers not to be named. joined the programme in late 1998. Last month he received notification from the US Embassy that "a check of the relevant record systems" failed to find a record in his name. In response. FPI says: "It is possible that his papers are still with the Department of Labor." But it says it cannot provide further information without knowing who he is.

III As CM went to press the Department of Trade and Industry and FPI were appearing at a London Employment Appeal Tribunal. The DTI is appealing against a decision taken last February and wants to prohibit FPI from acting as an employment agency.


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