By Matthew Legg Business editor

Last updated at 11:39, Friday, 08 July 2011

Lorry drivers set to lose their jobs at Eddie Stobart’s Workington depot have criticised the company, saying alternative work they have been offered is unrealistic.

Related: Eddie Stobart will keep Cumbrian depot as warehouse

Fifteen drivers at the firm’s Lillyhall branch are facing redundancy after bosses decided to wind up its specialist fleet facility based at the site. The company pledged to find the affected staff work elsewhere in the organisation.

But one of the workers says he has been offered day shifts in either London or Widnes, which his partner says is unrealistic.

“There’s no way he could take that, it’s just unrealistic,” said the man’s partner, who does not want to be named.

“There is a lot of anger among the drivers.

“There’s still a lot of work at Lillyhall and they can’t understand why the company is doing this.

“The worst part is they stand to lose their jobs and they are seeing agency drivers who have been brought in, driving past them.

“My husband hasn’t even been given a finish date yet, so he can’t apply for other jobs because he doesn’t know when he will be leaving. I’m worried we could lose our house if he can’t get another job quickly.

“These drivers did 60 or 70 hours a week and made good money, there just isn’t those kind of jobs out there at the moment.”

In a statement, the Stobart Group, owner of Eddie Stobart, said: “Following a review of the company transport network, and in particular the work carried out by our specialist fleet, it is proposed that Eddie Stobart will cease to operate a fleet of vehicles from the Lillyhall depot.

“The proposal affects 15 employees, all drivers. We will endeavour to ensure all those affected are offered suitable alternatives.”

First published at 11:30, Friday, 08 July 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk