Haulage drivers take legal action against firm

ROADSTONE Wood is facing legal action by more than 80 haulage drivers who claim the firm is using freelance operators in spite of the fact there is not enough work for its own drivers.

The affected drivers, some of whom have been with Roadstone Wood for more than 30 years, claim that while they say management is trying to describe them as “contractors” not employees, they have contracts that mean they can only drive for Roadstone. This is despite the fact that they own their trucks and have to pay off the cost — up to €150,000 — themselves. Those trucks are liveried with Roadstone emblems.

The drivers say they are available for work from 5am every day but might not be given work until 10am, if at all. “On some days we are making absolutely no money but are still having to make the repayments on the trucks,” one source said.