EXIT 45 JOBS

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

DATE: THURSDAY, February 18, 1993                   TAG: 9302180080
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GEORGE KEGLEY STAFF WRITER[
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
EXIT 45 JOBS
Lily Transportation Corp., new owner of Blue Ridge Transfer, said Wednesday it will move the 45 jobs in the company's Roanoke offices to Thomasville, N.C., by April.
That removes all of the operations of Roanoke's largest trucking company, although it will continue service for its local customers, said Ronald DaShiell, vice president and general manager. Blue Ridge, founded in Galax in 1933, moved its offices to Roanoke in 1961. Its headquarters and terminal on Hollins Road are for sale.
After Lily bought Blue Ridge in December, the new owner transferred about 120 drivers' and mechanics' jobs from Roanoke to a Henry County terminal. Many drivers declined to take the transfer and gave up their jobs. At the time, the company said its offices would remain in Roanoke.
On Wednesday, Lisa Cairoli, marketing director at Lily's Needham, Mass., headquarters, said the offices are moving to North Carolina "because most of our business is in that area."
The company was fortunate "in persuading many key people" to move to Thomasville, Cairoli said. She said she did not know how many office workers will move, but it probably will be less than half of the 45 now employed.
An employee who declined to give her name said Lily advertised for office workers in Thomasville before telling employees it was leaving Roanoke. Cairoli denied that.
Ron Wirt, business manager of Teamsters Local 22 at Martinsville, said he has not been able to negotiate with Lily. His union and Local 171 in Roanoke had contracts with Blue Ridge and its former owners.
Wirt said the representation issue may go to the National Labor Relations Board.
Wirt said he does not know how many of the 120 drivers and mechanics transferred to Henry County. The company continues to advertise for drivers at Martinsville, he said. Employees say Lily's pay and benefits are less than under the former owners.
After the Henry County move was announced, the company said about 50 drivers and mechanics had declined to transfer.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB