THE Co-op has been accused of breaking with its own principles in a pay-off deal with staff at the Living Store in Burnley, which is due to close next month with the loss of 44 jobs.

Union officials today revealed that ordinary shop workers nationally and locally will receive two weeks' pay in addition to any redundancy money due, while middle and senior management are due to get nine weeks.

USDAW regional organiser Alf Storey said he was very disappointed that the Co-operative Society should ask its members to be co-operative and flexible and then to treat them in such a shabby fashion.

The Co-op was built on the principle of equality and sharing dividends.

He said: "Instead of the smooth rundown they wanted with flexibility and harmony it has had the opposite affect with a great deal of bad feeling and animosity between graded staff and managerial staff.''

The National Association of Co-operative Officers represented 350 staff and secured their members a deal offering nine weeks pay on top of redundancy. USDAW represented 3,500 workers nationwide and could only get an extra two weeks pay plus redundancy.

Mr Storey said: "The only explanation is that they are playing the numbers game.''

USDAW is holding a national meeting in Rochdale next week to try to get a better offer. "We are not hopeful,'' added Mr Storey.

Co-operative Retail Services said it was unable to comment at the moment.

The Burnley store is due to close on July 10. Some of the staff have been offered other positions in CRS and others are receiving advice on new job possibilities.

The town centre Co-op Living Store, Burnley's only department store , has been taken over as part of a £150 million deal.

London-based group Miller Developments has bought all 44 Living Stores for £69 million, with CRS also selling its Homeworld interests for £80 million to the Woolworth Kingfisher group.

The CRS will now concentrate on its food and funerals interests - including the Pioneer superstore in Burnley.

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