MORE than 100 positions at Honda in Swindon are being redistributed and contracted to an agency, in a move branded ‘immoral’ by one insider.

A senior source within the material logistics department at the Highworth Road site said the 107 associates working in their department had been told last week there would be changes.

The South Marston Distribution Centre (SDC), which currently performs a number of services for the car manufacturer, around the corner in Thornhill Road, is said to be filling the logistics positions with agency staff.

Yesterday, Honda confirmed those associates currently in post have been offered positions elsewhere at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM).

But the material logistics department employee, who did not wish to be named, said staff were worried the preference for flexible, agency staff will become a trend across the business.

He said: “It’s immoral. It’s wrong purely because Honda is chipping away and getting rid of full-time Honda associates.

“Myself and my colleagues are losing their positions within the department.

There will be 107 SDC temps who cost less to employ.

“Honda say they are not going to have SDC staff assembling the cars in the future. It might not be SDC doing the cars, but they will concentrate on getting an agency of some kind to do the cars.”

The positions, the insider said, would be transferred into agency hands between now and the middle of next year, with the majority of those replaced, moving into the engine plant.

The material logistics department is responsible for emptying lorries bringing parts on-site, unpacking and sorting them before delivering them to the various divisions around the plant.

HUM cut 300 permanent staff from its wage bill earlier this year, after the Japanese firm announced poor sales in Europe had forced it to scale back production from two lines to one.

A Honda spokesman said: “In order to achieve logistics efficiency and full ownership of the end-to-end logistics process, Honda of the UK Manufacturing commenced consultation with Unite the Union and the Associate Representative Committee, regarding plans to outsource their internal logistics function to Swindon Distribution Centre.

“Under TUPE regulations SDC will be providing this service under a commercial contract with HUM.

“Associates impacted by this activity have all been informed and will participate in individual consultation meetings over the coming weeks.

“All HUM Associates who will be affected by this will be given the opportunity to move into other roles within HUM if they wish.”

SDC was not available for comment when contacted by the Adver.