Tesco distributes redundancies...

Throughout the country on September 21st, Tesco announced they wanted hundreds of redundancies in their distribution depots. This, at a time when they are still employing Slovakian and Polish agency workers brought in from abroad and being made to stay, several in one house.

In one depot in Magor South Wales, There hasn't been a British person employed for a while; instead they prefer to take on agency because they are cheaper and subsequently Tesco do not have to pay contributions to the government. They have very few rights unlike the regular staff and have been called into work at an hours notice. They are told to work 12 hours instead of 8, but only told when they arrive in the warehouse.

After the 'simplification' programme which is what they are calling these redundancies, the terms and conditions are to be changed for all staff who remain. They have changed the title of a job and dropped the hourly rate but the job is identical to before and the same people doing it.

It was announced earlier that the distribution centres in the UK must make a saving of £60 Million. It is difficult to force more people into the shops so they are trying to get the savings from the staff. Loyal staff who put Tesco into the No. 1 position.

Eve de Harben.
Caldicot, South Wales.