‘Devastating blow’ as 288 Coca-Cola drivers face axe

Union leaders have described the loss of almost 300 jobs at Coca-Cola Enterprises, including drivers and warehouse workers, as a “devastating blow”.

Unite said sites affected by the decision include East Kilbride, Bristol, north London, Northampton, Sidcup and Wakefield.

National officer Jennie Formby said: “This news will be a devastating blow for our members and their families, especially in the current economic climate of austerity, welfare cuts and now rising unemployment.

“Our immediate priority must be to get full details of the reasoning behind this decision and to examine what alternatives there could be for our members. Cola-Coca Enterprises is a highly profitable and successful global company and we will be doing everything in our power to
protect jobs.”

A company spokesman said: “Following a strategic review, we are proposing to end our direct delivery service in Great Britain.

“We have identified the need for a more efficient way of distributing our products.

“We have now started a full consultation on these proposals with our employee representative bodies and the Unite trade union. If these changes were implemented they could result in the loss of approximately 288 roles from a total workforce in Great Britain of 4,400.”