Union claims Cambridge sorting office may close with loss of

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Union claims Cambridge sorting office may close with loss of 196 jobs http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/Un ... 022012.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cambridge's Royal Mail sorting office is reportedly under threat of closure with the loss of nearly 200 jobs, the News can reveal.

Union officials say they have been told that the mail centre, in Clifton Road, is “under review” and may shut down in two years’ time.

Mark Toner, branch secretary for the Communication Workers Union – CWU – said he was informed about the cutback yesterday. (Tuesday February 21)

He told Cambridge News Online: “We were informed that Cambridge mail centre is under review for possible closure in two years, affecting 196 jobs.

“There has been a process of rationalisation going on for some time, but we though the Cambridge office had escaped, only to be told this now.

“It’s all about making efficiency savings, and obviously we will be doing all we can to secure the jobs of our members. We have been told there will be no compulsory redundancies.”

He said that if the centre closed, sorting operations could be moved to Peterborough, with some jobs switched there.

But he said: “We believe there could be knock-on effects and that this could cause problems with the standard of delivery worsened for customers in Cambridge, with businesses affected as well.

“The big problem with having mail sorted at Peterborough is the A14, with all the delays there.”

He added: “We will be having further talks with the company in the months ahead to see what will happen next, and will be making efforts to save the centre from closing.”

Royal Mail has not yet commented on the union’s statement.