Ford jobs move will re-ignin row between T&G and URTU
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• by Guy Sheppard Car giant Ford is set to bring up to 180 car transporting jobs back in-house in a move which is set to inflame tensions between the two main transport unions, just as they start patching up their differences.
The work is based at Dagenham, East London and is handled by Ansa Logistics, a subsidiary of AutoLogic Holdings.
Ford's proposals involve transferring the jobs, which are held by members of the Transport & General Workers Union, to Dagenham's 280-strong in-house delivery team. These workers are represented by the United Road Transport Union—they will face job losses when Fiesta car production at the plant is transferred to the Continent next year.
A hitter row between the two unions originated at Dagenham when the in-house drivers quit the TAG and subsequently joined URTU following claims the TAG was helping to operate a racially discriminatory recruitment policy. URTU, accused of poaching members, subsequently resigned from the TUC shortly before it was due to
be expelled. This row is finally being resolved (CM 14-20 June) but the changes at Dagenham could once more pitch the unions into conflict.
Ford says the main reason for taking the jobs in-house is to increase its business effectiveness, but there are doubts about how efficiently existing employees could do the work. Robin Kemp, managing director of Ansa, says: "You can probably train an individual to a certain level within four weeks but the equipment we are operating at the moment is very complex. It's a bit like learning to drive— experience is very important.'' Mark Morgan, marketing manager for Autologic, says; If you look at current trends, more manufacturers are outsourcing this type of service than keeping it in-house. I will leave you to draw your own conclusions on that one."
Mike Billingham, regional officer for URTU, says the move would be an expres Son of confidence by Ford In Its a employees. "Not that I am suggestim doesn't have confidence in Ansa," he ad "There are Ansa employees who I am s will be offered continuous employment Ford employees delivering cars."
The TAG agrees that recruitment drivers at the plant has been an is between the two unions, but it says II too early to discuss the Implications Ford's latest proposals: "If there is go to be wholesale restructuring of For distribution operations, then this will be issue that will be addressed."