Amazon site closure ‘spiteful and reckless’ says union
GMB Union says the closure of Amazon’s Rugeley site is ‘spiteful and reckless’ as it joins a list of shutting fulfilment centres.
Amazon confirmed to TheBusinessDesk.com that “collective consultation is due to end and the site will be closing. Individual consultations will commence shortly”.
Sites in Doncaster, Hemel Hempstead and Gourock, in the west of Scotland, have also been proposed for closure, but a spokesman for the business said all the workers would be offered roles at other existing Amazon locations.
The online retail giant is set to open its £500m Peddimore site in October which will employ 1,400 staff, increasing to 2,000 after three years.
The news comes after the Rugeley fulfilment centre became the second UK Amazon site to back strike action in a dispute over pay. Strike action took place earlier this month with workers downing tools on August 4 and 5.
Rachel Fagan, GMB Organsier, said: “This is yet another example of the contempt Amazon have for its own workforce. It’s simple; this closure is spiteful and reckless.
“Amazon are gambling with peoples’ jobs despite knowing Rugeley’s central role in the business. Earlier this year Amazon were briefing the press with stories of huge investments. Before long they were warning hundreds of local people they could be out of work come the summer holidays.
“Workers at Rugeley deserve better than this, they deserve decent pay and job by security. Amazon are yet again putting workers here in the UK in a desperate situation.”
Amazon has been contacted for comment, with no immediate response.
