Toys ‘R’ Us outsourcing local transportation jobs
By Cindy Wojdyla Cain ccain@stmedianetwork.com May 5, 2012 2:10AM
Updated: June 7, 2012 8:20AM
JOLIET — Toys “R” Us is switching its transportation distribution system from in-house employees to workers from a third party provider.
The nationwide move affects about 45 drivers, dispatchers and mechanics at the Joliet Toys “R” Us warehouse at 2695 Plainfield Road. Kathleen Waugh, a spokeswoman for Toys “R” Us, said the company is transitioning its store delivery transportation services to Ryder Dedicated Logistics.
“All impacted employees are being given the opportunity to apply for employment with the new provider,” she said. “There are no layoffs.”
Waugh elaborated by defining a layoff as someone who was “temporarily let go.”
“This is not the case here,” she added. “If an employee chooses not to pursue a role with the new provider, or if the new provider is not able to hire an affected employee, the employee would be eligible for severance from the company.”
Drivers transport toys from the Joliet warehouse to Toys “R” Us stores in the Midwest.
Waugh said the move by Toys “R” Us is not unique.
“As has been done by many retailers, we are transitioning our entire store delivery transportation services to third party providers,” she said.
