HUNDREDS of staff at a major civilian employer in Europe’s largest military garrison are facing an uncertain future after learning their hours are to be cut and their jobs are no longer secure.

Morale is said to be 'at rock bottom' at Sodexo, an international firm which supplies contracted staff for catering, cleaning and retailers It employs around 850 people in Catterick Garrison, mainly in roles supporting the Army.

The Northern Echo reported last month that employees had been told of planned restructuring in order to make efficiencies within the business, which is involved in a competitive tender process to maintain its contracts in the garrison.

Last night one staff member, who asked to remain anonymous, said the workforce have now been told all 35 hour contacts would disappear – to be replaced by roles of 20 hours and under.

All supervisor roles will also be scrapped, and staff will be expected to work in numerous departments including waitressing, cleaning and cooking.

The source said: “People in different departments have been getting different information so it has been difficult to keep up with what is going on.

“We now know the amount of hours that will be available in each area, so everyone that has been working 35 hours a week now know they will be cut to at least 20 hours – a pay cut of around £6,000 a year.

“Some people work certain shifts for specific reasons, such as childcare, but now we will have to be more flexible.

“Morale is at rock bottom, there has been no compassion from the management and no formal updates given. We elected staff representatives and it was them who had to go to each department and give the news on how hours would be cuts – in some cases by up to 150 hours per week."

The source said staff had tried to work out dummy rotas using the new hours of work, but said it would simply not be possible without working overtime.

Many employees are still waiting for one-to-ones with management to learn their fate.

“Many people will probably want to work overtime to up their wages, but they are losing out on the amount of holiday and sick pay they would have got previously,” the source added.

Councillor Helen Grant, who represents Catterick Garrison on Richmondshire District Council, said she was deeply concerned.

She said: “Hours are to be cut substantially in numbers, hours reduced drastically and staff are to be expected to do jobs for which they were not recruited or may not be able to undertake.

“I am concerned that whole families are going to be disadvantaged by this. How on earth sole bread winners can sustain such cuts I can't imagine.”

A spokesman from Sodexo said: “Following a competitive tender process for the North of England Region multi-activity contract, we will shortly commence formal consultation with our employees. We are unable to comment further until this consultation period has concluded.”