Suffolk hauliers firm Goldstar has responded to calls from drivers at its Woolpit depot for management observance of health and safety rules and for union recognition by announcing that it will close the depot, sack 12 drivers and transfer the rest to another depot 33 miles away on worse contracts.
Whilst Goldstar blames the covid emergency for its decision, there is a strong suspicion that this is more to do with a union-busting bunch of cowboys trying to keep the lid on its own unsafe working practices and resist workers’ demands for union recognition.
Dodgy work practices are said to include cranes suspending heavy loads over lorries whilst the drivers remain in the cab, presumably to speed up operations.
It was when drivers complained about this and other health and safety issues, and started to ask for union recognition, that Goldstone dropped its bombshell.
Unite is balloting its 60 staff at the company for strike action. The ballot will be complete on 14 July.
