'No warning' freight company was folding

Staff at a nationwide freight transport company are shocked to find they will have to find new jobs.

About 250 people are out of work after Rapid Roadfreighters went into liquidation, just before Christmas. The company has more than 200 vehicles and 250 workers throughout the country.

Driver Amanda Bright says nothing about the company's situation was mentioned at the firm's Christmas Eve drinks and she only found out when another driver rang her.

"I was actually devastated. I'm still in shock. Our current branch manager didn't even know it was going to happen. He was left in the dark as much as the rest of the staff."

Ms Bright says there have been no meetings or phone calls from management about the job losses. She is now looking for other driving work, but says the job market is very quiet.

Rapid Roadfreighters says it has a business heritage that spans more than 100 years.

- NEWSTALK ZB