Ed Leach – Usdaw Area organiser says: “Staff at the distribution centres are shocked by the company’s announcement and we are meeting with management to hear the rationale for their proposals and engage in meaningful consultation about the planned closures.

“Our priority is to get the best possible deal for our members. We will be looking at options to save jobs and keep staff in employment within the Co-op or with other employers. In the meantime Usdaw reps are providing our members with the support, advice and representation they need at this very difficult time.”

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest trade union with nearly 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion