A DRIVER who has been made redundant after the collapse of delivery firm City Link has criticised bosses’ lack of consideration for staff.

John Smith, of Little Chittock, Basildon, had worked as a delivery driver, based at the company’s Chelmsford depot, for 15 years.

There is also a depot in Luckyn Lane, Basildon.

City Link, which employs 2,727 people across the UK, announced it was entering administration on Christmas Eve.

Mr Smith, 61, said: “There were lots of rumours about either a takeover or the company closing altogether flying around, but they were all flatly denied by the company.

“A notice was put up in our office saying if rumours persisted, we were to email head office and they would take legal action, which is still there.

“I’m a member of the RMT union and I got an email on Christmas Eve to say City Link had gone into administration, which was the first I heard of it.”

Mr Smith was called into the office yesterday and was told he would be made redundant on New Year’s Eve.

The grandfather-of-three said: “There has been no consultation or anything, and it has just been dropped on us.

“I’m employed by the company, but most of the drivers are self-employed, so they won’t get any redundancy payments at all.

“To be honest, City Link has been losing money for a long time, so there were always rumours.

“But there has been no thought for the employees whatsoever and I feel angry about the way it has been done.”

Mr Smith is looking to sign up for Jobseekers’ Allowance while he looks for work. He said: “It is a bad time of year, because lots of places are on shutdown at the moment.

“My wife works full-time, so we will be OK day-to-day and paying the mortgage, but that’s all we will be able to do unless I can find another job.”

Simon Judd, from Leigh, worked for the firm and has also been left with an uncertain future.

He said: “I’m a sub-contractor with City Link, now I find I have a liveried van and no work.”

“They’ve got rid of most drivers at my depot, and presumably nationwide.

“I just have to hope I can find some work elsewhere, after getting the van made white.”