TRUCK COMPANY SAYS WORKERS REFUSED OFFER

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 17, 1993                   TAG: 9301170135
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: E-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GEORGE KEGLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
TRUCK COMPANY SAYS WORKERS REFUSED OFFER
About 50 Blue Ridge Transfer drivers and mechanics have refused an offer to transfer to Henry County with the company's new owner, according to Ronald D. DaShiell, new operating head of the company.
Lily Transportation Corp., the new owner, is recruiting employees to fill those positions at the Henry County terminal, DaShiell, vice president and general manager, said Saturday.
The sale of some Blue Ridge assets to Lily was completed at midnight Friday, and the new owner said about 450 Blue Ridge employees were offered jobs. Two workers in safety and personnel were not offered jobs because of a duplication with Lily operations, according to DaShiell.
DaShiell, who held the same title with Blue Ridge before the sale, will run the company from its headquarters, which will remain in Roanoke.
Although the Roanoke terminal has closed, 45 office employees will work here.
Teamsters Union drivers had predicted that many would not accept the transfer because they said the new owner cut their pay and benefits.
Another source close to the company said Lily is acquiring Blue Ridge by taking over a large debt to Dominion Bank. There was no word from Lily on that.
DaShiell will report to Jim Walker, president of the distribution services division of Lily at its Needham, Mass., headquarters. No Lily personnel will move here, the company said.
Ivan Selleck, former driver trainer in Roanoke, will be safety manager for the new operation in Henry County.
Blue Ridge said it will continue to use all of its facilities at Galax and Ashland in Virginia, Thomasville and Lenoir in North Carolina, and in Sumter, S.C. Billing for Galax and Ashland will be centralized in Roanoke. DaShiell said the sale preserves 450 jobs at Blue Ridge.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB