MORE than 50 Cardinia residents have lost their jobs as part of the closure of the Coles Myer Distribution Centre in Hampton Park.
The announcement came two weeks ago as the retail giant cut all 580 jobs from its southeast operation.
Many workers have been offered redundancy packages or the option of moving to Coles Myer’s two new distribution centres in Somerton and Laverton.
Former union shop steward Jason Gillick said many of the former workers live in the Bunyip and Garfield area and would suffer greatly from losing their jobs.
“A lot of the workers at the centre had moved off the dairy farms and went to work in the factory quite a few years ago,” Mr Gillick said.
Bunyip ward councillor Bill Pearson said he spoke to several of the sacked workers at the local football match a fortnight ago.
“I knew there were quite a few people from the area who worked at the centre and the ones I spoke to had taken the packages rather than go across town to the other Coles Myer centres,” Mr Pearson said.
Coles Myer spokesman Scott Whiffin said workers would be offered training for other positions within Coles Myer or given skills training and career guidance to help them find new jobs.
Distribution Centre in Hampton Park? Email editorstarnewsgroup.com.au or phone the Gazette on 5945 0666.
