Asda has outsourced delivery of its George clothing brand to DHL, putting up to 1,200 jobs at risk, according to shopworkers union GMB.
In a statement issued today (January 20), GMB said that Asda currently fulfils clothing orders through three depots in Lymedale, North East Clothing and Brackmills. But after the transfer to DHL, all George at Asda distribution will be run through a single warehouse in Derby.
GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said: “GMB’s priority is and always will be to protect our members’ jobs. We give our members our unwavering commitment on this.
“In the Lymedale depot alone, there are 14 couples with children whose entire household income relies on working there.”
Houghton added: “GMB is clear; the private equity buyout of Asda has been a disaster for workers, customers, the supply chain and communities.
“The recent job cuts announcement and now the outsourcing of clothing distribution paves the way for a full carve-up of the company.
“It is time for TDR Capital to come clean and be honest about their plan for the business – they owe it to every single Asda worker.”
In response to GMB, a spokesman for Asda said that the union’s claims that the retailer was outsourcing the distribution for all clothing were incorrect and noted that the three sites mentioned would remain open and operational for in-store purchases.
Asda executive chair Allan Leighton added: “The suggestion that we are looking to break up the business is categorically untrue and, frankly, insulting to all our colleagues. There is only one agenda in this business – it’s called the Formula for Growth, and we are solely focused on that.”
No comments yet