Union seeks urgent talks over Coral and Ladbrokes merger

Trade union Community has called for urgent talks with Coral and Ladbrokes after staff were told the jobs of as many as 700 head office staff could be under threat following the merger of the two bookmakers.

The union said they had concerns over the consultation process, although a representative of Ladbrokes said they were taking their obligations seriously and meetings were scheduled with staff representatives.

Community's lead organiser Gavin Miller, said: "The companies seem to be jumping the gun because the statutory collective consultation with head office workers only opened on September 15.