Co-op axes 52 jobs

Wednesday 14 January 2015

The Co-op has confirmed that dozens of staff face being made redundant when they shut down their warehouses in June.

The Channel Islands Co-operative Society has confirmed that 33 jobs will go in Jersey and 19 in Guernsey as they close down the warehousing operation in a bid to cut costs.

Another eight jobs could go with the closure of the Total Sport store, although the Co-op is looking to sell it as a going concern.

Channel Islands Co-operative Society chairman Ben Shenton said that all of those who wanted to stay with the company would be offered alternative employment – he said that there were originally going to be 80 job losses, but some staff had either found new jobs within the group or other employers, and that had softened the blow.

Mr Shenton – a former States Member and Health Minister – said that they regretted having to make the move.

He said: “It’s been an extremely difficult decision to make, but on a more positive note the Society has made a commitment to offer all affected colleagues that wish to continue their careers with the Society new positions in other parts of our business.

“We do fully recognise our obligation to those colleagues who are affected, and, as other parts of our business are growing, we are confident that we can find them all alternative positions.

“The Society operates in a fast moving, constantly evolving industry and we have no option but to run our business efficiently and take advantage of new opportunities to improve our operation whilst adapting to meet challenges that lie ahead.”