Huge delivery chain announces closure of UK warehouse with 900 jobs at risk… days after protests over ‘mass dismissal’
A HUGE delivery chain has announced the closure of a UK warehouse putting 900 jobs at risk just days after staff protested over a “mass dismissal”.
The food delivery company has confirmed that it plans to shut its distribution centre in Nuneaton in May.
HelloFresh stated that it did not take the decision lightly, and recognises the risk to hundreds of jobs.
Earlier this month, protests were held by workers at the warehouse following the dismissal of 79 workers.
The company has begun the consultation process with the affected employees.
The Community Trade Union, representing the employees, described the news as “dreadful” and said the workforce deserved better treatment.
Union bosses alleged that the dismissals followed employee complaints about working conditions, including policies on toilet breaks.
HelloFresh has denied the union’s claims, stating that the dismissals were due to “serious breaches of employment terms”.
The majority of workers affected by the warehouse closure will be offered to be redeployed to other sites in Derby and Banbury, according to the food delivery brand.
HelloFresh added that they plan to keep the Nuneaton site operational until at least mid-2025.
Gavin Miller from Community said: This is dreadful news for everyone who works on site, this workforce deserves better and Community will be challenging the company to prove the merits of their proposal and demonstrate that they have considered all viable alternatives.”
Earlier this week, HelloFresh told the BBC that it is reviewing operations to ensure the company works sustainably and delivers the “best possible product” to customers.
The major delivery chain revealed that its plans to transition to a “two-site model” aim to reduce waste and cut its carbon footprint while maintaining customer satisfaction.
A HelloFresh statement read: “If the proposal is accepted, we will prioritise redeployment opportunities within the business and look to offer incentives to employees who stay with us until the site eventually closes.
“The planned closure of the site is no reflection on the performance of the local team and we are grateful for their hard work and commitment.”
It comes after a woman was left shocked as she watched a lazy delivery driver throw a metal box at her front door – and didn’t even bother to knock.
‘HE DIDN’T EVEN KNOCK’
Jorja Hunt, 24, from Port Talbot in Wales, had ordered a HelloFresh meal deal kit and was expecting it to be delivered between 7.55am and 8.55am on June 8.
While she was out though, she received a notification on her phone showing a motion alert from her security camera at the front door.
In the video, which has been shared, a man in a red uniform stops at the woman’s gate, scans the parcel and then hurls it at her door.
The man then can be seen taking a photo of the package, indicating “proof of delivery,” throwing a delivery slip in the air and returning to his vehicle.
Ms Hunt, a makeup artist and nail technician, told Wales Online: “I got a notification on my phone at 8.08am that someone was at my door and I saw the video.
“I was expecting to be home for the delivery but I’d had to go out briefly… fortunately, my neighbours saw the package on the floor and took it in for me, but the delivery man just threw it there and left it.
“He didn’t even knock.”
Ms Hunt added that while the parcel was not damaged due to the secure packaging used but said she feared the delivery driver could damage other people’s valuable parcels.
DPD has confirmed it has sacked the delivery driver in question.
A spokesperson for DPD told The Sun Online: “At DPD we take customer service and the behaviour of our people very seriously indeed.
“Clearly, the behaviour here falls a long way short of what we expect from our drivers.
“We have carried out a full investigation and can confirm that the driver no longer delivers for DPD.
“Our team has also been in contact with the customer to apologise and make amends.”