Trade team Hams Hall redundancy row over

Unite revealed that it had agreed to an enhanced redundancy offer from the firm, which also included additional compensation for the 120 workers at the site.

Unite regional officer, Peter Malbasa said: “We have finally reached an agreement in terms of a compensation package for our members on which they have been balloted and accepted by a majority. This compensation is in addition to the already enhanced redundancy terms.​

 “It is sad that we could not save this site, but it was not for lack of effort on Unite’s part​.”

Trade Team was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

Dwindling volumes​

The deal brings an end to the dispute which began in January after Trade Team announced the closure of the Warwickshire plant as a result of dwindling volumes.

The decision was met with fury from the workers at the site however, who expressed “disgust, resentment and anger​” toward the firm, according to Unite.

Speaking at the time, Malbasa confirmed that the union intended to fight the closure and demanded justification for the decision.

He said: “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.”​

His comments followed an announcement for the firm, which claimed it “regretted​” the move but stressed its commitment to providing staff with alternative employment.

Consultations​

A Trade Team spokesman said: “Under the proposal, we 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​.”

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

The plant used to prepare 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, runs 475 vehicles and has a turnover of £160M.