TNT haulier cuts its drivers' pay
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by Lee Kimber • TNT's loss-making contract haulier TNT Transport Systems (TSL) is to cut drivers' pay in a bid to stem losses.
The company denies it forced drivers to accept the cut by threatening them with the sack.
The Accrington-based division says it won the agreement of its 100 drivers, warehousemen and administration staff after negotiating with the Transport & General Workers Union in September.
But Commercial Motor has obtained a copy of a letter in which TNT divisional director Ken Richards gives notice that TNT will unilaterally cut pay after reaching what it termed "an impasse" in
talks with the TGWU. Any drivers who refuse will "have self-terminated" their employment, the letter continues.
It goes on to say the changes are needed to rescue the company from "serious trading losses".
TNT says that negotiations continued through summer and described as "totally untrue" claims that drivers were threatened with dismissal.
"That letter was sent out purely to comply with contractual obligations," says a spokesman, adding that TNT "considerably" modified its proposals as a result.
Now the staff will lose the company's bonus system, although basic pay will remain unaffected as TSL tries to stem anticipated £225,000 losses this year.
TGWU divisional representative Jim Bowie says the cuts have been long expected as TSI, faced increasing competition from general hauliers.
"Some anomalies had built up over the years," he says. "Some drivers will lose up to L80-£90 a week but they are those earning £350-E450 a week."