200 Sheffield logistics workers to lose jobs in ‘brutal corporate axing’

Unite has condemned decision to close the Tradeteam depot on Shepcote Lane in Tinsley in July.

Some 200 drivers and warehouse staff who are currently furloughed will lose their jobs. Tradeteam is the specialist drinks distribution business of global trucking firm DHL.

Unite says it will seek a mandate for a ballot on industrial action at its UK sites.

Matt Draper, national officer for road transport and logistics, said: “This is a disgrace and about as brutal a wielding of corporate power as you will see across the UK employment landscape.

“The workers are currently furloughed on 80 per cent of pay as DHL has refused to top up the final 20 per cent that employers are expected to do under the government’s job retention scheme.

“This is a loyal workforce with hundreds of years of service – they have been betrayed.

“DHL has taken the taxpayer for a ride here, as it must have known it was going to shut Tinsley, but decided to use furlough to avoid paying wages.

“Now it wants the taxpayer to continue to pick up the bill as it throws employees on the scrapheap.

“Unite had requested a meeting with Tradeteam so we could work with the company and understand what the post-lockdown future would look like. A meeting has been agreed for 28 May.

“Tomorrow, Unite will be consulting our Tradeteam reps nationally with a view to holding an industrial action ballot that could include the option for strike action.

“We call on Tradeteam to revoke its decision not to reopen Tinsley immediately, or face the prospect of a national strike, once the lockdown is eased.”

Tradeteam is headquartered in Hams Hall, Birmingham. It has 30 sites across the UK, 600 vehicles and more than 2,000 employees.

Customers served from Sheffield include Carlsberg, Coors, Mitchells & Butlers, and Whitbread.

A spokesperson for DHL Supply Chain said: “In light of challenging trading conditions and the impact of the coronavirus, which has shut down the UK hospitality industry for several months, we have reviewed our Tradeteam drinks distribution operation and concluded that we can support our north east customer base with two, rather than three, depots.

“As a result, we propose to close our Tinsley, Sheffield in July this year to protect our business for the long term.

"Affected staff have been informed of the situation and will shortly enter into consultation with the company and nominated representatives to discuss their options, including transferring to Tradeteam’s expanded operation at Tingley, Wakefield, or redeploying to other DHL sites in the Sheffield area.

"We thank staff for their ongoing commitment at this difficult time and stress that the decision has been based entirely on commercial factors and in no way reflects on the service levels at Tinsley in recent years.”

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