WORKERS have been offered their old jobs back at Amazon Durham after bosses at the site reversed a decision which had seen them "forced" into ten-hour night shifts.
Those working at the site at Integra 61 in Bowburn have been told planned changes to their shifts will no longer go ahead after The Northern Echo first reported the story.
We originally revealed that around 37 workers had been moved from permanent day shift to mandatory night shift "without permission" and "very little notice."
Read more: 'They don't give a s**t': Amazon Durham workers quit after being 'forced' into night shift
Furious workers accused the firm of ignoring personal circumstances including care for vulnerable family members, young children, and workers with medical problems.
The change meant staff would have been transferred from a shift, which typically begins at 7.30am and finishes at 6pm, to a shift starting at 6.30pm and finishing at 5am.
Workers revealed their anger with some saying the firm had been unethical and had treated its staff as though they are "just a number."
Read more: How Teesside's first Amazon in Wynyard near Stockton is coming along
It was understood several workers had either resigned or were in the process of handing in their notice, while others were had gone on the sick and were "breaking down."
But in a twist last night, workers at the site said the retailer had bowed into pressure following significant backlash and had backed down on the plans.
One worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said all staff who were required to move to night shift had been offered the chance to stay on day shift.
Meanwhile, the worker said those who had resigned had since been asked to come back to their ordinary day shift.
But the comments were made as they said ill-feeling remained among some of the staff who were initially required to make the move.
The worker said: "Workers still feel aggrieved by the move and it hasn't settled any nerves that this can and maybe will happen in the future.
"Amazon is more reactive than proactive - with the systems they have in place, they should be able to forecast changes in demand."
Speaking to The Echo previously, workers revealed that their contracts contained a clause which said they could be swapped from day shift to night shift or even relocated, if the company requires.
Read more: Amazon Darlington accused of 'back tracking' on staff employment
But in response, the retailer said that it had worked with all workers affected by the change, offering them the option to return to their original day shift.
The retailer said it was now speaking directly to each worker affected and that it is committed to improving employee experience and value any feedback received.
A spokesperson for Amazon said: "Schedule adjustments may happen as part of our normal operations.
"We always listen to our employees and, following an additional review, we identified additional opportunities allowing us to offer all team members affected by the change the option to return to their original scheduled shift if they wish to do so."
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