Blockade threat made by Aventas drivers

Rodney Edwards 
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Published: 20 Feb 2014 13:000 comments

LORRY drivers at the Aventas Group in Derrylin may stage a mass walkout after being told that if they object to proposed changes announced by the company last week their employment would “automatically terminate”

Lorry drivers from the former Quinn Group are unhappy with the proposed move to CEVA.

A large number of staff, including lorry drivers, central garage personnel and some of the administration and despatch personnel are to have their contracts transferred to CEVA Logistics, a global company based in the Netherlands.

But workers are now considering calling a strike in protest at the development and are to meet with Unite the union to discuss their next move this weekend. A number of the workers signed up to the trade union -- many for the first time -- last week.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, a disgruntled Aventas employee warned: “We are full of fight. They are saying if you don’t accept this you go down the road. Let me tell you this: nothing will be moved until this is sorted out. The workers will be refusing to move, there will be a complete blockade, there will be no deliveries, no messing.”

Aventas has informed employees that the outsourcing of part of the transport division is an effort by the company to make the business, once owned by Sean Quinn, more competitive “without an adverse impact on both jobs and the quality of service to customers”.

But a number of workers are unhappy at some elements of the proposals, particularly regarding what would happen if they decide to object to the transfer.

A letter issued on February 13 to employees stated: “The legal effect of objecting would be that your employment with Aventas Group would automatically terminate with effect from the date of transfer (and you would not automatically transfer to CEVA Logistics). It is important to note that if you do elect to object, you would not be entitled to either statutory or contractual compensation.”

And if the transfer goes ahead as planned on May 15, 2014 it will not be possible for those transferring to continue to be a member of the Aventas Group occupational pension scheme as they will no longer be employed by the company, another frustration for concerned workers.

“Current pension schemes will therefore have to cease,” stated the letter, “Provided that you are an existing participant in an Aventas Group pension scheme (and unless you object) you will be enrolled in to the CEVA company pension scheme.”

Details of the pension scheme will be made available to employees during the consultation process.

“With the exception of the above, it is not envisaged that there will be any other measures or changes to your terms and condition of employment in connection with the transfer,” stated the letter, adding that the workers’ employment continues, their continuity of employment remains and their terms and conditions cannot be changed.

Aventas had been involved in a tendering process since November and had been working exclusively with CEVA to establish how they could combine their internal fleet and facilities with the infrastructure. They believe this initiative will generate a number of benefits including cost efficiencies through better utilisation of the transport fleet and facilities and the increased buying power of a much bigger transport company.

A statement from Aventas said the transfer opens up opportunities to employees arising from a greater volume and variety of work as well as the greater number and variety of career opportunities which will come from being part of a much larger global business.

“CEVA will operate from a base on site in Derrylin which will ensure the continued contribution of these businesses to the local economy,” said a spokesperson.

The Aventas Group have declined to comment on the issues raised by the driver.