Hundreds of jobs under threat as HDNL restructures delivery network
23 January 2009
Union members at Unite and Usdaw are reeling after parcel
carrier HDNL (Home Delivery Network Ltd) announced 686 jobs across
England are at risk following the decision to restructure its
delivery network.
Unite national officer, Julia Long, said: “This announcement has
come as a blow to the joint unions. We have been working together
over the last year putting changes in place to help the business
move forward and become profitable after years of what we believe
were bad decisions and poor management.
“The decision to close eight depots will have a devastating
affect on our members and their families, and we will be doing all
we can within the consultation process.
“The unions are starting the consultation process next week,
where the top priority will be to scrutinise the business case for
these closures, and to ensure wherever possible we can find
alternative work in the depots that are remaining open.”
Usdaw national officer, Irene Radigan, comments: "The Company
have announced a major restructuring programme which will include
the closure of six sites. Work will be transferred across the rest
of HDNL’s network. We are working with HDNL to minimise compulsory
redundancies as a result of this restructuring.
“The home shopping sector has seen a steady decline over the
last few years and these redundancies are not a direct result of
the economic downturn.
“Our aim is to ensure that those people who are made redundant
leave the business with the best chance of securing future
employment and that HDNL is able to offer job security to all union
members who remain with the company.”
ENDS
For further information contact Julia Long on 07778 749518 or
Irene Radigan on 07919 227758.
Notes for editors:
The sites due to close are: Daventry, Newcastle, Sheffield,
Burslem, Basildon, Eastleigh with Worcester and Edmonton.
