Distribution giants hunt for new deals
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by Karen Miles
• Evidence that distribution companies are taking advantage of the recession emerged this week as both Tibbett & Britten and isvr push through new agreements with their drivers.
In what is seen as an attempt to reduce costs to its main customer, Marks & Spencer, Tibbett & Britten's Transcare Distribution has given notice that it is terminating its national agreement.
The company boosted its pretax profits by 9% to £14.7m in the year to 31 December 1992. It is to meet URTU and TGWU officials this month to discuss the new agreement the unions fear an attempt to reduce the terms and conditions of the joint deal. T&B has declined to comment.
In a separate company-union t ow, the United Road Transport
Union accuses NFT Distribution of trying to cut drivers' wages by opening a new distribution centre for Sainsbury's. The company agrees that it is trying to cut costs.
URTU says the company has proposed a consolidated hourly wage rate of £5.40 for drivers working on primary distribution for Sainsbury's at a new distribution centre at Alfreton—NFT drivers working out of Nottingham for Sainsbury's are paid £5.85 an hour, says the union.
NIT says the £5.40 rate was discussed but denies that it is the current offer.
The contract, which is currently served by 90 drivers based at Nottingham, Rotherham and Dronfield, Derbys, is being transferred to Alfreton with the same number of driver,