Thousands at risk in grocery jobs carnage

Sainsbury’s and Tesco wield axe

tHOuSANDS of jobs are at risk at Britain’s two biggest supermarkets as they pursue brutal costcutting drives.

tesco and Sainsbury’s will overhaul the way their big stores are run as they fight the threat of discounters Aldi and Lidl.

Sainsbury’s said yesterday it had put thousands of jobs under review, hours after tesco revealed it would cut 800 jobs as it axes 1,700 roles and creates 900 job titles.

Last month, Marks & Spencer’s closed a distribution centre in Neasden, north London, putting 380 jobs at risk, and in December Asda’s decision to spend less time on stacking shelves left more than 800 jobs hanging in the balance.

Sainsbury’s, Britain’s second-largest supermarket, said management roles just below store manager positions across 1,400 of its sites will change. It has not given a specific figure but the supermarket confirmed job cuts could be in the thousands.

It employs 195,000 and is aiming to save £540m by the end of the financial year, with a further £500m targeted over the following three years.

It revealed in October it would cut up to 2,000 jobs in its payroll and Hr departments, after axing 400 jobs from stores in March. Despite a slight lift in sales over the Christmas period, Sainsbury’s profits have declined for the past three years.

Simon roberts, retail and operations director at the supermarket, said: ‘the proposals will introduce a more efficient and effective structure, designed to meet the challenges of today’s retail environment.

‘Our intention is not to reduce overall headcount as a result of these proposals. I appreciate this will be a difficult time for those affected and we will fully support our people through these changes.’ A formal consultation with affected workers will run until May, the firm said.

unite, the union representing many of the staff, said it would seek guarantees from management that its members would not face compulsory redundancy.

Bev Clarkson, acting national officer for food and drink at unite, said: ‘this is very bad news for those dedicated workers affected by the planned job losses, and unite will be giving our members maximum support at this difficult time.

‘We appreciate that Sainsbury’s has a good record of redeployment of staff in these situations and we will be exploring every avenue to ensure the continuing employment for our members.

‘During the consultation period, we will be having meetings with management, including asking the company if it has done an equalities’ impact audit of those affected by the announcement.’