5th Apr 2016 16:32
LONDON (Alliance News) - Union Unite Tuesday said it is "severely disappointed" by a decision from J Sainsbury PLC which it warns could put over 800 jobs at risk just a few days after it agreed to buy Argos owner Home Retail Group PLC for GBP1.4 billion.
"This is very bad news for those dedicated workers affected by the planned job losses and Unite will be giving our members maximum support at this difficult time," said Unite National Officer for Food and Drink Julia Long in a statement.
"We are severely disappointed as Sainsbury's seems to have deep pockets when it wants as it has just forked out GBP1.4 billion to purchase the Home Retail Group," Long added.
Unite has more than 14,000 members at Sainsbury's, and said it would be campaigning to reduce the number of compulsory redundancies which will be amongst store trainers and those working nightshift operations.
A Sainsbury's spokesperson said, "We've introduced new Learning and Development programmes to ensure our colleagues can continue to deliver the very best service to our customers. Following this we're now creating a new management role that will provide enhanced training support across a number of stores. This position will replace the existing store trainer role."
"We're conducting a consultation process with all affected colleagues, who will have the opportunity to apply for the new, senior roles," the spokesperson said.
In regards to the suggestion of over 800 job losses, the spokesperson said "We currently employ 870 store trainers. We're now creating around 280 new Learning and Development Manager positions and all affected colleagues will have the opportunity to apply for these more senior roles. We will also look to redeploy affected colleagues where possible."
Shares in J Sainsbury closed up 0.5% at 278.30 pence Tuesday.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; [email protected]; @HanaSSAllNews
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