Union 'disgusted' by job cuts at Tradeteam plant

13-Jan-2012 - Last updated on 13-Jan-2012 at 14:42 GMT

Tradeteam plans to cut 128 jobs at Hams Hall, Warwickshire

Drink distributor Tradeteam's decision to cut 128 jobs at its Hams Hall, Warwickshire plant has left employees “disgusted”, according to Unite the union.

Unite regional officer Peter Malbasa, said that employees have expressed “disgust, resentment and anger” over the closure. But he admitted that the facility has suffered a decline in volumes.

The union claim it will resist Tradeteam's decision, and is now urging the firm to provide evidence to justify the closure of the plant, scheduled for April 1.

Shock

Malbasa told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “We are entering into a period of consultation with the firm and urgently asking for the business information to justify its decision. We will be pressing them to reconsider the closure.”

“Although it is accepted that declines in volumes have occurred, it has come as a shock for complete site closure.”

In a statement Tradeteam said that it regretted having to close the warehousing and distribution site. But it said that the firm was committed to providing staff with alternate employment.

Its spokesman said: “Under the proposal, Tradeteam will soon commence individual and group consultations with affected staff and site representatives, and will make every effort to redeploy staff wherever possible to other areas of the business.

“We would like to thank the team at Hams Hall for their understanding at this difficult time and stress that this decision in no way reflects on the quality of work at the site.”

Redundancy

Unite says staff facing redundancy includes: draymen, drivers, warehouse, and clerical staff.

The plant prepares beverage products for distribution to pubs and clubs across the West Midlands.

Tradeteam is part of German logistics firm DHL, and employs over 1,900 workers, carries 475 vehicles and has a turnover of £160M.

The firm delivers to more than 20,000 on-trade outlets per week and 4,000 off-trade outlets per month, and despatches 82M cases and 3M single bottles annually.

Earlier this week, the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) accepted 73 job cuts at Warburtons Oldham bakery, admitting that the cuts “had to be made”.

The bakery employs 174 workers, 101 of which will now be placed in other Warburtons sites or offered alternate employment. The remaining 73 employees will face redundancy on January 20.