Jobs threatened at DHL/Parcelpoint depot in Clifton Moor

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AT least 26 jobs are in limbo with the announcement that the DHL/Parcelpoint service centre in Clifton Moor, York, is to close.

Shocked sorter-loaders and delivery drivers on both day and night shifts at the parcel delivery firm have been told that the intention was to close the Centurion Park premises on March 4.

The proposal will also affect a number of self-employed courier drivers who work for the service centre under contract.

Beyond confirming that the workers had now entered a 30-day consultation period, DHL/Parcelpoint, soon to come under the new branding of Yodel, refused to comment.

But it is understood the management will discuss the prospect of absorbing the workforce at other depots such as at Leeds, Keighley, Stockton-on-Tees and Hull.

Tristan Chard, full time organiser of the GMB trade union who looks after the interest of all DHL members in the North, said the men at Clifton Moor were shocked.

He said: “It was a complete surprise because this was not in the original plan.”

DHL, a German firm, took over Securicor Omega, when the secure delivery company decided to get out of the parcel distribution business.

But DHL traded at a loss for a number of years before announcing in January 2010 that it was selling the business on to Parcelpoint.

The transfer occurred in March and last September Parcelpoint, still trading as DHL, announced that it was centralising its six sort centres into two in the West Midlands – a new purpose-built operation in Wensbury and at Ham’s Hall.

Mr Chard said: “This had a knock-on effect, triggering a complete re-organisation that sought savings elsewhere, including the possible closure of satellite branches.”

He said two national representatives had now visited the Clifton Moor depot to advise their 22 members there on consultation over redundancy and possible relocations.