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Tens of thousands of Co-op store workers face changes to their working practices and hours as the 2,800-strong chain undergoes a national restructure, the Star has learned.
Staff contacted by the Star expressed fears yesterday over enforced changes in working hours that could cause problems with issues such as childcare and other personal circumstances.
They have been told their working hours may be extended or cut.
Staff also fear layoffs as the Co-op has said some stores are overstaffed, though the company has denied planning widespread redundancies.
Shop workers’ union Usdaw is working with the firm on implementation of the changes, though the plans are entirely the responsibility of Co-op management.
On the shop-floor however, employees say they have been told in letters from management that if they do not accept new shifts they could face “termination of employment.”
The Co-op Group is still dealing with the consequences of a financial disaster last year which left it facing a £1.4 billion deficit. The problems stemmed largely from a botched takeover of Britannia Building Society.
As a result Co-op Bank lost its co-operative status when it had to accept investment from private finance firms.
A joint statement on the stores shake-up was issued by food stores human resources chief Catherine Muirden and Usdaw national officer John Gorle.
It announced implementation of a programme named Simple Standard Stores (S3) and said that all staff “availability and flexibility” would be reviewed.
“Although Usdaw recognises the need for change, it has concerns about the impact of changes to availability and the way that it may be managed at a store level,” the statement said.
But staff have also been sent a letter saying that they would be consulted individually to discuss whether their availability for work met their store’s needs.
It also warned: “We will also discuss your reasons for not offering the required availability, the possible alternatives and possible consequences which may include termination of your employment.”
