Emergency open day in Laois after Fastway collapse
Fastway Couriers has entered receivership. File image
AN EMERGENCY recruitment open day will be held in Portlaoise this Tuesday to support devastated delivery drivers, after the sudden collapse of Fastway which had a large centre in Portarlington.
The free ‘fast-track recruitment’ open day will help drivers connect with a large number of logistics companies that are hiring, ranging from DPD and An Post to Bus Éireann and Primeline.
The event at the Maldron Hotel on the Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise will run from 10am – 3pm on Tuesday 4 November. There is no formal agenda and people can drop in any time between those hours to speak to employers, all currently recruiting experienced van drivers and delivery partners.
The emergency ‘Driver Connect Open Day’ is run by CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport) Ireland.
The event was highlighted on social media by independent Portarlington councillor Aidan Mullins, who described the treatment of workers during the sudden closure last week as ‘despicable’.
He said on Friday: ‘Fastway employees are officially employed for another month, although not at work. They were told that they won't be paid for this period, along with last week's wages, until next March or April.
‘In addition, if they apply for social welfare or get other employment during the 30 day period, they won't be paid. How can employees be treated so shamefully and shabbily in this day and age?
Cllr Mullins said the emergency open day might help drivers and give them some hope.
He said: “There are many drivers and couriers out of work, with no advance notice from Fastway Couriers. Here is some positive news which may be of assistance and give them some hope.’
Other hiring companies that will attend the event include Jetline Logistics, ATC Logistics, Masterlink, Curry’s, DFDS and many others.
