Union demands help for Carlsberg depot workers facing sack

The trade union representing workers at Carlsberg's threatened distribution depot in Alloa is demanding the brewer plays its part in finding redundant staff new jobs.

Unite, the trade union which represents the workers at the Carlsberg depot, said staff had been "shocked" by a management announcement that their workplace is to be closed this year, with a threatened loss of all 58 jobs.

"We are deeply disappointed at the behaviour of Carlsberg UK in announcing the planned closure without any warning whatsoever," said Unite regional industrial organiser Scott Foley.

"While management has now opened discussions with the union, the announcement has come as a bolt from the blue, without even being mentioned at our national partnership forum.

"We will now be concentrating on finding alternatives to voluntary redundancy for our members, and we expect management to play a full part in that process."

According to Unite, Carlsberg is blaming the planned closure of the Alloa depot on a decline in the quantity of its own beers and contracted work from others in Scotland.

The depot is scheduled to close in August this year unless another solution is found.

Responding to Unite's call, a Carlsberg spokesman said the brewer had last week kicked off a 30-day consultation period with the 58 depot staff likely to be affected by a closure.

"A closure is only proposed at this time. It's not a foregone conclusion, but August would be the earliest it would happen," he said.

"We will be looking at viable alternative options for those staff affected by any closure, such as transferring them to other sites around the country," he added.