trike costs Ford dearly
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A STRIKE by over 400 Ford lorry drivers had lost the company ,E15.75m worth of cars and Transit vans by Tuesday evenling this week. In addition, nearly 16,000 Ford workers were laid iff throughout the country.
The drivers are protesting at the decreasing number of trips to Genk in Belgium, where, until recently, five vehicles a week travelled to pick up components. Due to the depressed market, that is no longer possible, and the company says that rail container wagons may be used in future.
A spokesman admitted that "a couple of emergency runs" by contract firms have recently operated to Genk, contrary to the Transport and General Workers' Union's wishes. He added: "It's a grievance about getting a job they like doing".
It is understood that overtime, subsistence payments and duty free allowances attract the drivers to the Genk trip. The company says it is still offering irregular trips to Bordeaux and many drivers still enjoy the benefit of overtime too.
As CM went to press, we were unable to contact a TGWU spokesman. According to Ford, no further meeting between the two parties was planned.