22.06.15
DB Schenker to cut more than 200 rail freight jobs in England
DB Schenker is to cut 234 rail freight jobs due to the decline in demand for coal.
The company, whose UK headquarters are in Doncaster, said the losses would mostly be felt in the north of England as the coal demand had declined much faster than the industry predicted.
Chief executive Geoff Spencer said: "Responsible businesses take decisions to positively position themselves for the future. We must transform and reshape our organisation to ensure our long-term success by evolving to meet the needs of a rapidly changing market.
"I know this is an unsettling time for colleagues who may be affected and we are committed to keeping them fully informed and supported throughout this process."
DBS is consulting with unions over the job losses. It said it would seek to protect jobs wherever possible, including offering some workers an opportunity to transfer to other locations.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "This shock announcement makes a nonsense of the government’s recent claims that they are looking at expanding rail freight to meet green emissions targets.
"RMT has made it absolutely clear that we will not accept any compulsory redundancies and we will be looking to use existing agreements to ensure that our member’s livelihoods are protected.
"The union is aware that this announcement may be the tip of the iceberg in the rail freight industry and the union will fight to defend these green jobs and to hold the government to their pledges on rail freight as a logical green option."
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