'Shameful' Sheffield drinks depot blasted as 250 jobs set to be axed

Bosses at a Sheffield drinks distribution depot which is due to close next week with the loss of hundreds of jobs have been blasted as ‘shameful’ by union bosses.
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Logistics giant DHL Tradeteam is to axe more than 250 jobs by closing its premises in Shepcote Lane, Sheffield as well as downgrading its base in Ebbw Vale in Wales.

Union Unite has accused Tradeteam, part of DHL, the world’s largest logistics company, of taking taxpayer-funded furlough cash, while planning to close the Sheffield site and downgrade Ebbw Vale, which, the union said, was ‘sharp practice; legally correct, but morally bankrupt.’

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The Sheffield depot at the Tinsley Industrial Estate officially closes on 14 August when about 200 drivers and warehouse staff will lose their jobs. The customers served from Sheffield include brewing giants Carlsberg, Coors, Mitchells & Butlers and Whitbread.

The DHL Tradeteam depot in Sheffield is to close next week.The DHL Tradeteam depot in Sheffield is to close next week.
The DHL Tradeteam depot in Sheffield is to close next week.

More than 50 jobs at the Ebbw Vale site are also being made redundant.

Unite’s Matt Draper said: “DHL has taken the taxpayer for a ride here, as it must have known it was going to shut the Sheffield site and much reduce the workforce at Ebbw Vale.

“However, it decided to use furlough money from the government to avoid paying wages of the respective workforces during this period.

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“These are loyal employees with hundreds of years of service – they have been treated shamefully.

“DHL’s senior management may feel smug that they have boosted their profit margins by a small degree, but we consider it sharp practice. It may tick all the boxes legally, but it is morally bankrupt.”

Mr Draper said that some of the Sheffield work had been transferred to Tingley, Leeds where the workers were working flat out to meet the higher than forecast demand, reinforcing the view that there was no need to close the profitable Tinsley site in the first place.

DHL said the coronavirus lockdown's impact was behind the move.

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"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 logistics operation and concluded that we can support our north east customer base with two rather than three depots," it said.

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