Strike ballot at Suttons II The Transport and General Workers
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Union is fighting plans by tanker firm Suttons of St Helens to close its Oldbury depot and it has balloted members for industrial action—but it may be too late.
According to Ron Webb, T&G joint national secretary– road transport about 28 drivers have been balloted for industrial action following the company's decision to close Oldbury because it was not profitable.
However, Suttons believes strikes are unlikely in view of the imminent closure date of 22 May, despite a vote in favour of industrial action.
Frank Merx, director and general manager of Suttons' tanker division, says: "We have tried to keep the depot going but these are difficult times and costs continue to go up."
He says that many of the drivers will be redeployed in Suttons, but "new jobs will not be possible for everyone".
CI The union is also worried about the company's dismissal of three drivers, including a senior shop steward, in January for "gross misconduct".
The T&G says that its members were concerned about health and safety issues at the firm, but Suttons claims that the dismissed staff had refused to do the work asked of them.