Concern over jobs as FedEx confirms closure plan

Concerns have been raised over the future of hundreds of workers after delivery company FedEx announced it was closing its depot in Staffordshire.

The firm said it would be shutting its site at Parkhouse, Newcastle-under-Lyme, as part of its plans to consolidate operations at two new facilities by 2029.

More than 360 people currently work at the site and Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Adam Jogee said he was "deeply shocked and saddened" at the news.

FedEx said no job losses had been announced as part of the changes and it would be working with union and staff representatives to ensure employees were supported.

The MP said the community deserved answers and he would be seeking urgent talks with the company.

"I believe the site is strategically located and should be able to prosper – if the company is willing to work with local stakeholders to explore alternatives," he added.

Union Unite said it would be campaigning against the closures, which also include depots at Kingsbury in Warwickshire and Dartford in Kent.

The two new FedEx depots would be based at Marston Gate in Bedfordshire and Atherstone in Warwickshire.

Unite said a final decision on the closures might not be made for more than two years, which created "immediate uncertainty".

The union's general secretary Sharon Graham said: "FedEx UK is a profitable company and their parent organisation in the US makes billions so it is inexcusable that it is making hundreds of job losses to simply maximise profits without a care or thought given to the impact this will have on workers, their families and communities across the UK."

A spokesperson for FedEx said it was "openly" speaking to teams about the changes and would continue to do so during the consultation process.

"No job losses have been announced as part of these proposals and there are no changes for FedEx employees in the short term," they said.

"As part of announcing our proposal we have also set out our commitment to supporting team members with retraining, access to education and time and resources to explore all options open to them."

The firm said it was pleased team members had responded with "openness" to understanding the options and appreciated Unite "being proactive in supporting their members.

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