Northern Ireland

Around 130 jobs at risk at Sainsbury's supermarkets in north

Up to 130 jobs may be lost at Sainsbury's supermarkets across the north, a trade union has warned. Picture by John Stillwell, Press Association
Up to 130 jobs may be lost at Sainsbury's supermarkets across the north, a trade union has warned. Picture by John Stillwell, Press Association Up to 130 jobs may be lost at Sainsbury's supermarkets across the north, a trade union has warned. Picture by John Stillwell, Press Association
By Claire Simpson

AROUND 130 jobs are at risk at Sainsbury's stores across the north amid concerns about the supermarket chain's restructuring plans.

The company is changing how it manages its stores and is scrapping some management posts.

These posts are understood to include store supervisors, team leaders and deputy managers.

Sainsbury's has 13 supermarkets across the north, including in Newry, Armagh and west Belfast.

Taryn Trainor, from trade union Unite, raised concerns that the impact of the company’s restructuring plans would be further exacerbated by the rise of automation and self-service tills.

She said the management posts are due to be scrapped on June 11.

"On the basis of figures we have been able to compile in relation to individual sites, we estimate that approximately 130 positions are likely to go as a result of this proposal in Northern Ireland," she said.

She added: "We will be engaging with management to ensure that anyone affected by these changes is found appropriate employment elsewhere within the company".