Partner Article

Jobs go at recycling firm

The future of jobs at a recycling firm in County Durham is in doubt as more than 100 workers were told they were being laid off.

Employees of Greencycle, based in Tursdale, turned up to work on Tuesday morning and were told that their “jobs had gone”. They were handed a letter saying the company “regrettably advises it has to lay you off”.

It is unclear at this stage how many jobs are remaining at the firm, which collects and recycles household waste for four councils across County Durham.

The letter, dated 24 March, states that the employees will only be entitled to “five days’ pay in any period of three months”.

Managing director Neil Rippon added that the company would keep the staff updated on a “weekly basis”.

Greencycle first started dealing with household waste in April 2008 and has already been criticised for its poor health and safety record.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) told the company that the way it stored waste at Tursdale near Durham was putting workers at risk.

Greencycle says it has since complied with the HSE recommendations.

The four local councils, Sedgefield, Chester-le-Street, Easington and the City of Durham have said they will collect the recyclable waste, but there will be a delay.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .