Unite condemns Norbert’s Grangemouth site closure
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By Hayley Pink UNION UNITE has slammed Norbert Dentressangle’s (ND) decision to close its fuel tanker site at Grangemouth, Falkirk, which it operates on behalf of Tesco, at the end of March.
The logistics irm says the decision has been taken following a review of its network “in order to provide an optimum service in line with the changing requirements of one of our major customers”.
As a result of the planned closure, six fuel tanker drivers now face redundancy or redeployment.
Ann Dawson, MD at Norbert Dentressangle Tankers, says: “We will be consulting with affected employees over the next few weeks on whether redundancies might be avoided, if there is potential for redeployment within the company and, as a last resort, the redundancy terms available.” She adds: “We regret that the change to our operation involves the closure of Grangemouth and will ensure that any uncertainty is kept to a minimum at this dificult time.” However, union Unite has condemned ND’s action and questioned the rationale for the closure, saying that given the volume of work and “widespread use of agency drivers by ND at Grangemouth”, there is no commercial need for the redundancies.
Matt Draper, Unite national oficer, says: “ND claims that the work can be absorbed elsewhere, yet we know there is enough work at Grangemouth. The drivers have been working long hours with no let up to get the petrol to Tesco’s forecourts.” He adds: “We urge the company to step back from this and see sense, because ND’s action will further infuriate drivers already angry with the increasing pressure being put on them.” Unite will be balloting more than 2,000 oil tanker drivers this week at ND as well as drivers at Wincanton, DHL, Hoyer, BP, JW Suckling and Turners (Soham) over strike action, following “growing insecurity” over terms and conditions of contracts in the sector.