Fears over job losses at brewery giant depots

UNIONS are seeking assurances on the jobs of their members in depots including Manchester after Carlsberg revealed it plans to transfer its logistics operations to DHL Tradeteam during 2017 and 2018 so that it can focus on core beer and brewing.

The proposal to outsource will impact jobs of the employees directly involved with porterage and secondary logistics activities, the brewing company said.

Carlsberg, which has depots in Northampton and Bourne employs 1,800 people in the UK, roughly 900 of whom work in logistics.

“We recognize this is a significant change for our business and in particular our employees,” said chief executive Julian Momen.

“In the longer-term, this transformation will build a sustainable business focused on our core offering, which is brewing premium-quality beers and building brands,” he added.

Unite regional officer Joe Clarke said: “We are dismayed by this announcement. We are waiting to see the full business plan that the Carlsberg management has prepared before we can comment in detail.

“The bottom line for Unite is that of job security of our members – we will fight any proposals for compulsory redundancies.

“We will also want copper-bottomed guarantees on pay, and terms and conditions should workers be TUPE’d [Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations] to DHL Tradeteam.

“Unions reps from across the UK will be meeting management at Carlsberg’s Northampton headquarters on Monday 11 July when we hope that flesh is put on the bones of the company’s proposals.”

Besides delivering its own products, Carlsberg’s distribution operation also has contracts with the pub chains JD Wetherspoon and Punch Taverns.

The 11 Carlsberg depots are at: Alloa (Scotland), Birmingham, Bourne (Lincolnshire), Durham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Northampton, Nash Mead (Newport, South Wales), Southampton and Torquay.

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