Amazon Darlington accused of 'back tracking' on staff employment

The logistics company, which has several sites in the North East, including Darlington, Durham, Stockton and Gateshead, allegedly let the employees go over the last 48-hour period, even though some of those sacked having ‘formal offers’ and ‘acceptances’ in place.

Amazon’s MME1 building, which boasts 465,000 square feet of warehouse and employs 1000 full-time workers and 1000 temporary staff, opened in 2020 and has been shipping goods across the UK ever since.

Read more: 700 jobs could come to industrial park next to Amazon Darlington

At the start of this week, The Northern Echo was contacted by a whistleblower, who was angry that Amazon workers had been let go in the most recent ‘lay off’ from the global brand.

Through allegations of “not having any work”, Amazon have allegedly “changed their minds” in the contract renewals, some of which involves an additional 12 months for the 30 workers – leaving staff “anxious, stressed and reeling” from the decision.

The whistleblower, who wishes not to be named, says the trouble started in January this year when Amazon staff were offered new contracts.

Amazon in Darlington was opened in 2020. Picture: AMAZON.

However, seven weeks on, “a tense moment” arose after each of those given a new contract hadn’t received formal documents to go with the agreement, and staff started to worry.

The unnamed source said: “Amazon Darlington have ruthlessly sacked over 30 employees over the last 48 hours.

“Amazon say they just have no work so have changed their minds, no explanation, no real notice.

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“Staff are left anxious, stressed, and reeling as they had accepted and were only told when rumours started flying around of the first few to be sacked.

“Managers were forced to come clean to staff over the last few days, only days or weeks before their previous contracts were about to end.

“Contract extensions had been offered and accepted in January. However, staff started to question why they hadn't had a new contract. Managers told staff not to worry just keep waiting and your contact will arrive. This went on for over seven weeks.”

The staff were allegedly given extensions in January, but then let go. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

Since the “revelation” about the fate of the workers, managers at Amazon Darlington have allegedly been “thoughtless”, “harsh” and “uncaring,”

The whistleblower added: “This was just to keep them working, as managers knew that they were about to make an about turn, hence why they held back on sending amended contracts.

“All the staff affected had an email in January offering the contract and all accepted, happy in the knowledge they were secure for longer.

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“Staff haven't been given any answers and are wondering why Amazon are opening two new centres locally if they don't have enough work to staff MME1.

“Managers have been thoughtless, ruthless, harsh and uncaring and no offer of support had been made.

"Some staff had turned down other offers from companies because they thought they had a contract with Amazon.

"I don't see how they can have lack of work after opening a new hub in the UK."

After the allegations were put forward, The Northern Echo contacted Amazon, who insisted that no one had been fired, and, instead, it was a case of temporary fixed-term contracts coming to an end.

Amazon in Darlington. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.

The logistics company also highlighted the fact that the ex-employees were also given four weeks’ notice.

An Amazon spokesperson said: “At Amazon we offer a wider range of roles to employees including permanent, part-time and fixed-term contracts.

“Amazon created 25,000 new permanent roles across the country in 2021. Additionally, 20,000 seasonal roles were also offered across our network for the festive period.

“Many employees who join us on temporary assignments do remain with us on a longer-term basis but, at the same time, we do have to say goodbye to some. We thank them for their hard work and dedication and encourage them to stay in contact for future opportunities.”

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