Amazon has put 1,200 UK jobs at risk

Amazon has announced to shut down three warehouses along with seven small delivery sites across the UK. Subsequently, the decision of closure of these facility has put more than 1,200 jobs at risk.

Closure of warehouses and multiple delivery centers

Online retail giant Amazon is operating more than 30 warehouses across the United Kingdom. However, the company has announced that they will shut down three large warehouses in Hemel Hempstead, Doncaster and Gourock, in the west of Scotland. Similarly, the global ecommerce giant will also shut down seven small delivery centers. They will permanently close the facilities in Huntingdon, Horley, Newcastle, Birmingham and Hemel Hempstead. Whereas, old sites in Portsmouth and Aylesford will shift to new buildings nearby. On the other hand, Amazon has also announced to open two new centers. These new facilities are likely to create 2,500 new jobs over the next three years. Amazon will open these warehouses in Peddimore in the West Midlands and Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham. A couple of weeks earlier Amazon announced to cut more than 18,000 jobs worldwide.

Amazon is offering to relocate affected staff

Furthermore, the closure of these sites is likely to affect more than 1,200 jobs. Although the company has offered to relocate affected workers from these sites other Amazon locations. However, it seems highly unlikely that workers will be willing to relocate as there are no Amazon warehouse nearby these locations. On the other hand, the workers from seven delivery sites which approximately employs 20 employees each are expected to move to other sites nearby.

GMB union stance

The GMB union described this decision from Amazon as disappointing. Steve Garelick, an organizer for the GMB union termed this as “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 center which may be many miles away. Local workers may not be in a position to take roles so far away from where they live.” Steve Garelick added to his statement.

However, Amazon said the company remained “committed to our customers, employees, and communities across the UK”.

Browse for jobs at Amazon

Keep up with the latest employment news across UK at News