Post by Martin on Aug 21, 2007 9:46:55 GMT 1
A CITY Link employee last night urged the company to compensate staff who relocate to Glenrothes in the wake of the company’s decision to close its Dundee and Dunfermline depots.
The Dundee worker, who asked not to be named, said staff had been left in limbo since the parcel delivery service announced the proposed move to 20 drivers and eight office staff.
City Link is to close its depot in Myrekirk Road, Dundee in an amalgamation with its Dunfermline service, with the aim of relocation to Glenrothes.
“We’re being asked to uproot and make a 60-mile round trip every day to Glenrothes,” he said. “But we’ve heard nothing about a financial package being offered to compensate us and it’s not good enough. We’re faced with the possibility of losing our job or being out of pocket.
“Most of us live in Dundee or on the outskirts of Dundee and travelling to Glenrothes is going to add two hours to your working day when some people already work 10, 12 and 15-hour shifts.
“Adding two hours to a long distance delivery driver’s 15-hour shift denies them a rest period of nine hours that is required by law. There’s been a lack of consultation with staff regarding the relocation.
“If we’re being asked to travel to Glenrothes every day or risk losing our jobs, we’ve got to be offered a financial package to ensure that we’re not left counting the cost in the long run.”
The staff worker said there have also been rumours that City Link could also be about to stop the practice of allowing delivery drivers to take their vehicles home after work.
Dundee West MP Jim McGovern received confirmation from City Link that discussions with staff on the relocation will take place today and tomorrow.
Mr McGovern contacted City Link after receiving complaints from staff about what they perceived as a lack of consultation.
The customer service function from Dunfermline and Dundee will transfer to the new Cambuslang depot.
“Apparently three members of the company’s administration staff are not getting the offer of relocation to Glenrothes but are being asked to move to the west of Scotland,” said Mr McGovern.
“Obviously that would cause great difficulty and therefore they feel they are not being given the opportunity of relocation and would effectively be made redundant.”
Mr McGovern received a letter from City Link’s Maureen McNamara who confirmed that consultations with staff are ongoing and she was surprised to hear the MP had received complaints.
“Maureen McNamara said that following the closure announcement on July 18, all staff were met and individually consulted about the proposed move,” said Mr McGovern.
The subjects raised at those consultations would be discussed today.
In her letter, Ms McNamara—the company’s human resources redeployment project director—said City Link’s aim was to retain all staff where possible. However, it was “inevitable” that some staff would have difficulties, which may result in redundancy, but it was “impossible to speculate at this time until we review each case on an individual basis.”
It is envisaged the Dundee and Dunfermline units will close by the end of September and the new site at Glenrothes will be ready for operation at the start of October.
City Link have reassured all employees that positions will be available at the new site in Glenrothes.
Amalgamations and mergers have happened elsewhere within City Link, which is owned by global giant Rentokil, since their recent acquisition of rival courier service Target Express.
This is good news as it means you don't have to travel to Inverkeithing if you miss a parcel
The Dundee worker, who asked not to be named, said staff had been left in limbo since the parcel delivery service announced the proposed move to 20 drivers and eight office staff.
City Link is to close its depot in Myrekirk Road, Dundee in an amalgamation with its Dunfermline service, with the aim of relocation to Glenrothes.
“We’re being asked to uproot and make a 60-mile round trip every day to Glenrothes,” he said. “But we’ve heard nothing about a financial package being offered to compensate us and it’s not good enough. We’re faced with the possibility of losing our job or being out of pocket.
“Most of us live in Dundee or on the outskirts of Dundee and travelling to Glenrothes is going to add two hours to your working day when some people already work 10, 12 and 15-hour shifts.
“Adding two hours to a long distance delivery driver’s 15-hour shift denies them a rest period of nine hours that is required by law. There’s been a lack of consultation with staff regarding the relocation.
“If we’re being asked to travel to Glenrothes every day or risk losing our jobs, we’ve got to be offered a financial package to ensure that we’re not left counting the cost in the long run.”
The staff worker said there have also been rumours that City Link could also be about to stop the practice of allowing delivery drivers to take their vehicles home after work.
Dundee West MP Jim McGovern received confirmation from City Link that discussions with staff on the relocation will take place today and tomorrow.
Mr McGovern contacted City Link after receiving complaints from staff about what they perceived as a lack of consultation.
The customer service function from Dunfermline and Dundee will transfer to the new Cambuslang depot.
“Apparently three members of the company’s administration staff are not getting the offer of relocation to Glenrothes but are being asked to move to the west of Scotland,” said Mr McGovern.
“Obviously that would cause great difficulty and therefore they feel they are not being given the opportunity of relocation and would effectively be made redundant.”
Mr McGovern received a letter from City Link’s Maureen McNamara who confirmed that consultations with staff are ongoing and she was surprised to hear the MP had received complaints.
“Maureen McNamara said that following the closure announcement on July 18, all staff were met and individually consulted about the proposed move,” said Mr McGovern.
The subjects raised at those consultations would be discussed today.
In her letter, Ms McNamara—the company’s human resources redeployment project director—said City Link’s aim was to retain all staff where possible. However, it was “inevitable” that some staff would have difficulties, which may result in redundancy, but it was “impossible to speculate at this time until we review each case on an individual basis.”
It is envisaged the Dundee and Dunfermline units will close by the end of September and the new site at Glenrothes will be ready for operation at the start of October.
City Link have reassured all employees that positions will be available at the new site in Glenrothes.
Amalgamations and mergers have happened elsewhere within City Link, which is owned by global giant Rentokil, since their recent acquisition of rival courier service Target Express.
This is good news as it means you don't have to travel to Inverkeithing if you miss a parcel
