Subs pull out of Welsh British Steel
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• Independent hauliers working as sub-contractors for British Steel out of its Port Talbot and Llanwern plants say they no longer want to work for the firm because of its refusal to increase rates.
One operator, Bridgend-based John Raymond Transport, which ran more than 280 trailers out of the plants hauling coils, pulled out of all UK work last week saying it had "taken a commercial decision to stop all UK work for BS". Company director Andrew Raymond will firms that his firm is continuing international deliveries.
Other contractors trying to get increases in rates following the rise in fuel prices imposed at last month's budget, claim BS has increased rates by only 4.9% over the past six years.
The contractors, some of whom have worked for British Steel for as long as 40 years, are also upset at the increasing role of Merlin Distribution which they believe is creaming off the most lucrative contracts. British Steel refuses to comment.