Jacob's haulage sold
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by Kathy Watson • Staff at food manufacturer The Jacob's Bakery are balloting for industrial action following the sale of its haulage arm to Lowfield Distribution.
A ballot of 250 Transport & General Workers Union members is being held this week; results are expected before the end of August.
Workers fear the loss of 25 full-time jobs, reduced pension benefits and a wrangle over compensation for long-serving staff.
The row has been brewing for several months since negotiations began between Lowfield and Jacobs. Lowfield is to take over operations by the end of August for a rumoured £3m to 3.5m.
The deal involves the whole of the distribution network including 100 trucks and 92 trailers, with distribution depots at Earlestown, Merseyside; Leicester; Glasgow; Bristol and London. Lowfield Distribution, the Daventrybased Tibbett & Britten subsidiary, will handle the distribution for the next eight years. Planning and development director Fergus Smith says the acquisition is "with a view to expanding".
Jacobs has around 350 staff and 100 drivers.
Brian Revell, TGWU national secretary of food, drink and tobacco, says his members are concerned by the proposed changes to working conditions: "The indications are that the pension scheme would be inferior. The workforce is very long-established and we are seeking compensatory payments for them, but Jacobs does not seem very receptive. There is a lack of long-term assurances from Lowfield."