Coca-Cola Enterprises has confirmed it is to let go of 288 jobs – a move described as a “devastating blow” by the Unite union.
As The Grocer reported in February, CCE has been negotiating with affected staff as it aimed to “simplify” its structure. CCE confirmed yesterday it was ending its direct delivery service in the UK, which is mainly used by foodservice outlets, and would be looking for a “more efficient way of distributing its products to these customers”.
The sites affected include Bristol, East Kilbride, North London, Northampton, Sidcup and Wakefield.
“We have now started a full consultation on these proposals with our employee representative bodies and the Unite trade union,” said CCE.
“Cola-Coca Enterprises is a highly profitable and successful global company and we will be doing everything in our power to protect jobs”
Jennie Formby, Unite
“We do not make these proposals lightly and we will, of course, be looking to minimise redundancies as far as possible and will offer support to help colleagues through this process.”
Jennie Formby, Unite national officer for food and drink, said the union was seeking full details of the reasoning behind the decision. “This news will be a devastating blow for our members and their families, especially in the current economic climate of austerity, welfare cuts and now rising unemployment.
“Cola-Coca Enterprises is a highly profitable and successful global company and we will be doing everything in our power to protect jobs.”
CCE employs more than 4,600 people in the UK. In February, it reported that volume sales had fallen 3% across GB and Continental Europe in the year to 31 December and that in Q4 GB sales had slumped 6% compared with 5.5% in Continental Europe.
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