TESCO JOB LOSSES SPECIAL REPORT - Councillors vow to help Tesco staff find employment (5/6) (From Middlewich Guardian)

TESCO JOB LOSSES SPECIAL REPORT - Councillors vow to help Tesco staff find employment (5/6)

1:00pm Saturday 13th March 2010

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COUNCIL bosses have vowed to help Middlewich employees return to work when the Tesco distribution centre closes in June.

Deputy mayor Mike Parsons and Clr Paul Edwards were meeting with Tesco representatives as the Guardian went to press in a bid to minimise the number of people who will be made redundant.

“It’s a major blow for the town,” said Clr Parsons.

Meanwhile, Cheshire East Council has set up a redundancy action support team and is working with Job Centreplus to offer specialised support for employees.

Clr Jamie Macrae, cabinet member for prosperity, added: "Our main concern now is with those people who stand to lose their livelihoods through no fault of their own.

“We would like to reassure employees at this difficult time that Cheshire East Council will be working hard to make sure that the best interests of employees are addressed.”

Tesco, which is one of the biggest employers in Middlewich, says it will be creating more than 2,500 new jobs in the north west over the next 12 months and all staff will be offered other opportunities.

But after one-to-one meetings started last Wednesday, many workers are not convinced.

One employee said: “Out of common decency I thought they’d say anyone who wants a job can have one but they’re not guaranteed.

“They’ve basically said there’s some jobs but you need to be suitable. It seems to me they can pick and choose who will continue working for them.

“Tesco made £3billion profit last year. It’s a joke. People with big mortgages – what are they going to do?

“I’m lucky enough to have paid off my mortgage but others have in excess of £100,000 to pay. It’s a disgrace.”

Another worker added: “We’ve been offered positions at the new Widnes distribution centre but it’s further to travel, the terms and conditions are different and our wages face a big drop.

“There’s rumours that some workers will be £4,000 or £5,000 out of pocket.

“I’ve got a mortgage to pay which I started two and a half years ago.

“It’s quite worrying especially when there’s 400 other people looking for jobs as well. There’s one guy who’s worked for Tesco for 45 years.

“It’s quite bitter here at the moment but you have to plod on.”

Tesco’s operations in Pochin Way have been considered under threat for many years.

In March 2008, Tesco’s transport operations were transferred to Eddie Stobart and in February 2009, 40 jobs were lost at the distribution centre.

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