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Depot closure is strike aftermath
Page 20
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DRIVERS and loaders at a Slough haulage depot have been given an ultimatum — move 16 miles to work or leave.
Management at the Roadline depot, in Montrose Avenue, Slough, have told the men that owing to "rationalisation" plans the depot is to be closed and all work moved to High Wycombe from the middle of September.
Now the Transport and General Workers Union says the men are being unfairly treated. "All their roots are here", said John Russell, the shop steward.
"Unless we get a better offer for moving, I think people will accept the redundancy. All we are being offered at the moment is a cut in wages and extra travelling time which will be at our own expense."
Mr Russell claimed the men were not being offered any compensation for the move.
The men say they have been offered a bus service to High Wycombe from Slough, but complain the travelling time will have to be deducted from out-of-work hours.
The company has issued a statement over the closure, but refused to discuss the points raised.
The statement said: "The company was severely hit by the transport strike in the early part of the year, and as a result suffered a loss in the first two months of 1979 of almost £2.5 million of trading revenue.
"After the set-back, the company has been in discussions with full-time union officials and shop stewards over the cut-backs and has discussed a number of closures which will be necessary for the company's overall good.
"These discussions have been completed and the closure of a number of branches will shortly take place."
The statement continues: "In order to reduce hardship as much as possible the company will endeavour to offer alternative employment to staff affected by the closures."