UNITE, the UK’s leading union, has said there is no “economic justification” for the announcement today (Tuesday 28 February) that Argos/Sainsbury’s plans to close two warehouses with the loss of over 750 jobs.
The company has announced it is intending to close its Argos warehouses in Basildon and Heywood (Greater Manchester) by 2026. In addition to the direct job losses the jobs of HGV drivers employed by Wincanton, on an outsourced contract, are also at risk.
Unite national officer Matt Draper said: “Management at Argos/Sainsbury’s has yet to provide any form of business case for the loss of these jobs. Unite will be fighting to preserve every job and will put forward an alternative business case to the company to preserve employment at these two sites.
“This is an incredibly wealthy company which should be investing in its loyal workforce rather than dumping workers in pursuit of short-term profits.
“If Sainsbury’s doesn’t drop its closure plans then Unite will pursue all avenues to preserve employment at these sites.”
Sainsbury’s is highly profitable company its latest full year result reveal that it made a pre tax profit of £854 million for 2021/22.
