Amazon jobs in danger as on-line large shutters main UK warehouses

Amazon has revealed plans to close three of its UK warehouses and as much as seven supply stations in a transfer affecting greater than 1,200 jobs.

The net retailer launched consultations over the closure of web sites in Hemel Hempstead, Doncaster, and Gourock within the west of Scotland.

It additionally plans to axe supply retailers in Portsmouth, Huntingdon, Horley, Newcastle, Birmingham and Hemel Hempstead whereas changing two present depots in Havant and Aylesford.

The proposals are separate from its plan to chop round 18,000 jobs worldwide as a part of a drive to chop prices.

The closures come as Amazon revealed plans for 2 new main depots in Peddimore, West Midlands, and Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham, which the corporate mentioned will create 2,500 jobs over the following three years.

Employees at websites earmarked for closure could be supplied alternatives to switch to different websites, Amazon mentioned. “We’re at all times evaluating our community to ensure it matches our enterprise wants and to enhance the expertise for our staff and clients,” a spokesman added.

“As a part of that effort, we could shut older websites, improve present amenities or open new websites, and we’ve launched a session on the proposed closure of three fulfilment centres in 2023.”

As much as 500 staff now work at Amazon’s Hemel Hempstead web site and can all be supplied roles at its close by Dunstable warehouse.

Steve Garelick, GMB union officer for Hemel Hempstead, referred to as the strikes a “actual kick within the tooth for Amazon employees who labored themselves into the bottom through the festive rush“.

He warned it could be troublesome for employees to take roles farther from dwelling, he added, particularly in the event that they have been younger dad and mom with youngster care challenges.

“Arduous-up Amazon employees can’t out of the blue be anticipated to up sticks and transfer to a special fulfilment centre which can be many miles away,” he mentioned.

The proposals may even badly have an effect on round 300 employees based mostly on the Gourock web site, an space of excessive unemployment. Amazon’s solely different warehouse in Scotland is in Dunfermline and employees will discover it troublesome to switch.

Neil Bibby, a Scottish Labour MSP for west Scotland, referred to as the transfer “devastating” whereas the Scottish Authorities, calling the transfer “disappointing”, mentioned it was speaking to Amazon to “higher perceive the problems”.

Ronnie Cowan, the SNP MP for Inverclyde, mentioned he was additionally looking for pressing talks with Amazon: “This information is a severe blow to Gourock, Inverclyde and Scotland.

“On the worldwide scale of Amazon’s enterprise, I’m at a loss as to how this may profit the corporate going ahead. Over a few years, Amazon has benefitted from a loyal, dedicated and productive workforce in Gourock and regardless of the causes for this choice, it can’t be any reflection on the workforce.

“It goes with out saying that within the midst of a price of residing disaster this may come as a hammer blow to the employees and their households.”

Amazon’s warehouse prices have risen on account of employee shortages, particularly for expert jobs. Staff on the firm’s depot in Coventry plan to go on strike later this month demanding £15 an hour.