• Drivers at a White Arrow Services depot in Wrexham
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have voted to step up industrial action in support of a colleague who was sacked after his van was stolen.
Keith Griffiths had left his van unlocked with the keys in the ignition while making a delivery to a house. When he returned a thief had taken the vehicle: it was recovered later but its load of parcels had gone.
Griffiths was to appeal against dismissal on Monday (21 December), and his 45 workmates have already held a one-day strike in protest at the sacking. The company, the distribution arm of mail order firm Great Universal Stores, says Griffiths was dismissed under "normal disciplinary procedures". It rules state that drivers must lock vans when making deliveries.
Full-scale action by union members could hit the company's Christmas trade, but the Transport and General Workers Union claims White Arrow has encouraged drivers to cut corners to save time.