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Sunderland Shop Direct jobs under threat

Home shopping group Shop Direct is to axe 1,500 jobs at three of its centres, including Sunderland, union leaders have been told.

The GMB said the cuts to the North East site, alongside Burnley and Newtown in Wales were a “body blow” to local communities.

The union said it would do everything it could during the 90-day consultation to lessen the impact of the news.

Northern regional officer Mick Hopper said: “We have been in negotiations with the employer over a long period to arrive at work practices and terms and conditions of employment to ensure the success of the company.

“This announcement is a body blow in an area of very high unemployment. We will be seeking help from elected representatives and other Government agencies to see what can be done to save jobs.”

Chief executive Mark Newton-Jones said: “We recognise that this is a very difficult time for those teams affected by the proposed contact centre closures.

“We are working closely with the trade unions to help staff through the consultation process and support them in finding future employment.

“Over the past five years, the proportion of our online sales has grown from 18% to account for over 60% of our business today resulting in excess capacity and space in our contact centres.

“We are a strong and growing business and we need to adapt to reflect the way our customers choose to shop with us.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .