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Workers blockade firm's premises | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Workers at a haulage firm now in administration are blocking the entrance to the company's premises. | |
The employees of Cloughmills-based Reid Transport Ltd said they wanted to be paid what they are owed and are angry at finding themselves out of work. | |
About 200 jobs are to be lost after attempts to sell it failed. Workers said they were told their jobs were safe. | |
Five lorries are queued outside the depot and are unable to get in. | |
The employees said they had been informed just five weeks ago that there was no threat to their jobs. | |
A letter posted to employees last month described concerns over the firm's future as "unfounded" and "malicious rumours". | A letter posted to employees last month described concerns over the firm's future as "unfounded" and "malicious rumours". |
On Wednesday, workers arrived for work as normal only to be told they were being made redundant. | On Wednesday, workers arrived for work as normal only to be told they were being made redundant. |
"All of Reids received a letter from managing director, Liam Reid, that there was absolutely nothing to worry about," said Reid Transport employee Sonia McCready." | "All of Reids received a letter from managing director, Liam Reid, that there was absolutely nothing to worry about," said Reid Transport employee Sonia McCready." |
The County Antrim company also has depots in Dublin, London, Manchester and the West Midlands. | The County Antrim company also has depots in Dublin, London, Manchester and the West Midlands. |
A letter reassuring staff was sent outEnlarge Image | A letter reassuring staff was sent outEnlarge Image |
Administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers Efforts said every effort would be made to secure redundancy payments for the workers before Christmas. | Administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers Efforts said every effort would be made to secure redundancy payments for the workers before Christmas. |
PricewaterhouseCoopers' Garth Callow said the failure to find a buyer meant they had no option but to close the business and "implement an immediate redundancy programme". | PricewaterhouseCoopers' Garth Callow said the failure to find a buyer meant they had no option but to close the business and "implement an immediate redundancy programme". |
"A small number of workers are being retained to assist with an orderly run down of the operation, but drivers and sub-contract drivers already on the road have been asked to complete their current journey and they will be paid for this work. | "A small number of workers are being retained to assist with an orderly run down of the operation, but drivers and sub-contract drivers already on the road have been asked to complete their current journey and they will be paid for this work. |
"This is a particularly difficult situation so close to Christmas, particularly when there is no prospect of saving the company and the jobs," said Mr Callow. | "This is a particularly difficult situation so close to Christmas, particularly when there is no prospect of saving the company and the jobs," said Mr Callow. |