Small fleets lose out at steelworks by David Craik •
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A dozen independent hauliers distributing out of British Steel's plant at Port Talbot face uncertain futures this week after BS decided to put all the plant's work in the hands of larger firms.
Hugh Durber, of Hugh Durber & Sons of Neath, has worked from the plant for 12 months but says that in the past week he and 11 colleagues have been refused distribution work. First they were told there was no local work, jobs to the Midlands and Newport were called off—and then on Friday 1 May they were told there was no work for them at all. "It is a sorry situation," says Durber. "There is plenty of work at the plant; I think they are doing this to cut administrative costs and make us become subcontractors to the major hauliers."
Durber says there is no future in subcontracting as the rates are so poor and he would have to make 10 workers redundant.
Durber now wants an explanation from Port Talbot transport manager Vince Scanlon, but all attempts to get hold of him have proved fruitless.
Scanlon declined to comment to CM, as did Owens of Llanelli, one of the major hauliers working from Port Talbot.