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Agency workers fear for jobs at Christmas
Date published: 29 November 2011
Agency staff working at the Yodel mail-order distribution centre in Shaw fear they may lose their jobs before Christmas.
The company, in Linney Lane, is ending its contract for temporary staff with Blue Arrow employment agency and starting a new contract with First Personnel Services on December 18.
But the switch in agencies has left some of Blue Arrow’s 106 agency staff based at the site unsure of whether they have a job just days before Christmas.
Staff said they have been advised by their current agency Blue Arrow to sign up with the new provider.
But workers say they have no idea whether their current jobs are guaranteed.
One worker who has spent four years at the site but did not want to be identified, said: “Blue Arrow said Yodel would like to keep as many of us on as possible, but that is no guarantee of employment. If we move to the new agency there is no guarantee that we will get our old job back. Either way we could be out of work just before Christmas.”
The worker said discussions continued. A spokeswoman for the company said: “While we appreciate that this is a difficult time for the individuals involved, as the employment contracts are with Blue Arrow it is up to the agency to inform and advise their personnel of the options available to them and it would be inappropriate for us to do so.”
Comments
I have been an agency worker at Yodel for 4 years 8 months, according to blue arrow they have walked away from the contract because Yodel will not agree to the new agency regulations. These being that after an agency worker has worked for the same company doing the same job they will now be entitled to the same pay, holidays, breaks etc. as permanent employees. This new law came into effect on the 1st Oct 2011.
I work for a national agency - (neither Blue Arrow nor First) and I can tell you 100% that your information is incorrect - the AWR (agency workers regulation) which you are refering to, should, but in fact doesn't automatically mean you to equal pay and entitlements. There are ways around it which include signing a different contract with your agency among many others. We were offered the Yodel contract and turned it down, due to the amount of financial risk involved.
Have Your Say
I would fear for the workers jobs regardless of the change in agency. It's no secret that Yodel's finances are not in the greatest shape since the HDNL/DHL merger. Yodel invoices are based on 90 day payment terms which is probably why Blue arrow have decided to walk away from the site(after a long on site presence) and hand it over to First Personell. I'd have to ask why First have taken this on given the unfavourable terms and more importantly why Blue Arrow have walked away.
By DiggleDangler @ 29/11/2011 16:28:45