Unite fights for DHL DC staff
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By Chris Tindall UNION UNITE says employees at DHL’s Droitwich DC are devastated that the site is to close by January in favour of a new site in Somerset. The site mainly distributes goods for Morrisons.
The union blames the lack of a renewed contract for the closure.
A 90-day consultation period has been concluded and Unite says it will do everything in its power to assist members. “This proposed closure is a massive blow to our members and the region,” says Unite regional oficer Simon Powell.
“We owe it to our members and their families to do everything in our power to help and support them. We hope DHL will rethink this decision.” DHL says 330 jobs at the Berry Hill Estate site in Worcestershire are affected by the opening of Morrisons’ distribution centre in Bridgwater.
A spokesman says: “All staff have been offered relocation assistance to the new facility, although we appreciate that not everyone will be able to make the move. We are also providing outplacement training with Dudley College to help staff secure alternative employment in the Droitwich area.” Morrisons did not respond.
• UK Mail Group has closed its Newcastle and Exeter depots to cut costs as trading conditions in the B2B mail and parcels sector proves more challenging. It has taken a £700,000 hit to close the sites and reduce its ixed costs. It leaves UK Mail operating 52 parcel and mail sites in Britain.