How delivery jobs came under threat

The peculiar decision by bosses has resulted in a 30-day consultation period, which began on Monday, to identify the exact number of jobs to be cut at the Westfield centre.

A spokesperson for the supply chain company also confirmed that attempts will be made to re-deploy affected workers.

"DHL in conjunction with its logistics partner Marks & Spencer, has identified that a number of stores currently serviced by the company's Westfield Distribution Centre could be more efficiently supported through the Thorncliffe (Yorkshire) NDL (Norbert Dentressangle) site and by transferring bedding and gift/stationery inventory to NDL Stoke.," said the spokesman.

"The 30 day consultation period has now begun, involving the recognised trade union and workplace representatives.

"DHL continues to work with those affected to identify opportunities elsewhere within the business and would like to thank the team at the Westfield site for their ongoing dedication during this difficult time."

Norbert Dentressangle is a French transport and logistics company.

A spokesperson for Marks & Spencer said: "This (moving work to other sites] will increase the operating efficiency of our supply chain, helping it meet the current and future needs of the business."

According to employment legislation, when redundancies of less than 100 people are proposed, the first job loss can occur as soon as a minimum of 30-days consultation has been completed. This means employees could find themselves out of work next month.

Central Scotland MSP Jamie Hepburn has long sought assurances that the jobs were safe.

He said: "It will be a worrying time for staff and their families, and I am glad that in response to my letter to them, the Scottish Government has moved quickly to discuss with the company how to mitigate the impact of any job losses, and put in place support for affected workers.

"I will also continue to communicate with Marks & Spencer, and staff representatives, to seek to ensure steps are taken to minimise the impact of this decision, and to seek guarantees about the long-term future of the Westfield operation."

Paul Arkinson, of the GMB Union, said: "I'm bitterly disappointed about 80 jobs going from an area that has already been hard hit by the recent difficulties and jobs losses we've seen.

"We definitely welcome the intervention of Jamie Hepburn but what we really want is more solid and concrete assistance for these jobs to remain in Scotland and to protect the workforce - there's no indication of that at the moment."