Fleets quick to offer jobs lifeline to Scott’s RL staff

BY JAMES GRAHAM

THE first hint that something was amiss at Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics for many of the 1500 staff was an email in late February telling them there had been a “technical” hitch with their pay.

It was soon after that, according to a staff truckie, who spoke to Big Rigs on the condition of anonymity, that they were told that the company was going into administration.

“It happened very quick,” said the shell-shocked driver. “It’s happened so fast that no one has been able to get their head around it.

“The confusion for us was how did it go from a technical issue with our pay to administration?

“But everyone was very hopeful. We were all like, ‘Yeah someone’s definitely going to buy us, especially being such a big company’.”

When the prospective suitors fell away – Lindsays, Linfox and Team Global Express (TGE) were all reportedly taking a look – staff started joining the dots.

“From what I’ve been told by the big bosses was that there’s just too much debt,” added the well-placed truckie.

“And the majority of our fleet is just way outdated, it was pretty well putting BandAid fixes on the trucks.”

The truckie said drivers were the last ones ordered by receivers KordaMentha to keep working to clear warehouses and remain eligible for a combined $50 million in employee entitlements.

But with no money for diesel, and workshop staff shutting up shop, there were reports filtering through of stranded Scott’s trucks being parked up miles from a depot.

“I’m just lucky we’ve got a bit of a financial buffer behind us but there’s a lot of people that I work with that don’t,” added the truckie.

“There have been a lot of tears because they don’t know what the future now holds.”

Luckily, transport companies, big and small, have been quick to offer work to the 1500 displaced staff.

At deadline for this issue, Team Global Express (TGE) was setting up an ‘expression of interest’ link.

The transport giant was also reportedly having “constructive conversations” with the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) and KordaMentha about hiring sacked workers.

The union was also holding similar talks with Linfox, ACFS, Ron Finemore Transport and FBT Transwest to “maximise redeployment opportunities” and mitigate disruptions of food deliveries to major supermarkets.

A spokeswoman for TGE said the company had several vacant roles across Australia, including truck and forklift drivers, customer service representatives, as well as depot and corporate staff.

Other smaller operators are also coming to the rescue.

The family-owned Victoria-based transport logistics service Dyers Distribution posted two ads on Seek looking for Scott’s drivers.

“Immediate start available with good pay and conditions with a long established family owned and operated company,” the post reads.

“Suitable employees offered an additional entitlements after successfully com- pleting a probation period. Subcontractors offered discounted fuel and fortnightly payments with $2000 upfront payment after 5-day’s work.”

In a post on its Facebook page, Farey Transport & Trading said it has recognised the “disaster this is for the refrigerated transport industry”, along with their customers across Australia.

“We are looking to setup shuttles from the Riverina, into and out of Sydney. We would be happy for anyone affected by the Scott’s RL announcement to contact us regarding these positions, along with any other opportunities we have going,” said the job post.

Melbourne-based BagTrans also reached out to Scott’s staff with several opportunities available for drivers impacted by the sudden liquidation.

Successful candidates are also eligible for the company’s incentive program, which includes up to $4000 after completing six month’s employment.

Meanwhile, over 70 parties had registered earlier this month to “access opportunities” to acquire assets of the collapsed company, with Lindsay Australia, TGE, Linfox, and Ron Finemore Transport all reportedly looking at larger parcels of equipment.

On offer are a fleet of 500plus trucks and more than 1000 trailers, plus 24 cold storage warehouses across Australia.