Amazon warehouse closures to affect 1,200 jobs

E-commerce giant, Amazon, has revealed it will shut three of its UK warehouses – a decision that will affect 1,200 jobs – but adds that it will also open two new major fulfilment centres.

Sites in Doncaster, Hemel Hempstead and Gourock, in the west of Scotland, have been proposed for closure.

The planned new fulfilment sites are slated for Peddimore, in the West Midlands and Stockton-on-Tees in the North East.

Amazon says it hopes the new bases would result in the creation of 2,500 jobs over the next three years.

But reacting to news of the warehouse closures Steve Garelick, organiser at GMB union, said: “This is a real kick in the teeth for Amazon staff who worked themselves into the ground during the festive rush.

“Hard-up Amazon workers can’t suddenly be expected to up sticks and move to a different fulfilment centre which may be many miles away. Local workers who may not be in a position to take roles so far away from where they live.

“Amazon has failed to bring a stable employment model due to their long-standing health and safety issues and poor workplace practices.

“To move forward with stability, Amazon needs to engage with the workforce through their union GMB.”