MP’s will debate the proposed closure of three Shop Direct Warehouses in the House of Commons today.
The adjournment debate was secured by Debbie Abrahams Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth.
The debate follows news that the Company intends to carry out their plans to relocate operations to the East Midlands which will lead to the loss of nearly 2,000 jobs across three Greater Manchester sites.
Speaking on behalf of the Usdaw Trade Union, Mike Aylward Divisional Officer said:
”Our members at Shop Direct are at the forefront of the effects of the introduction of new technology, as they face seeing their Greater Manchester workplace, employing nearly 2,000 workers, move to the East Midlands, employing nearly 500. So it is right that these issues are debated in Parliament and the Government is required to provide a response.
“Usdaw reps and officials are preparing for the start of a statutory period of meaningful consultation with the company, where we will interrogate the business case and seek alternatives to their devastating proposals. We welcome the assistance of local MPs and councillors, along with the Greater Manchester Mayor.
“We believe there is a role for the Government to intervene and support the staff facing redundancy. There are questions to be answered about what the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ actually means to working people in the North West. Our members will be listening carefully to what the Minister has to say.”
