Stinging criticism of Kraft must serve as a warning, says Unite
26th May 2010
Unite welcomed the stinging criticism of Kraft in the report of
the Takeover Panel published today (Wednesday) following the high
profile and deeply unpopular takeover of Cadbury by Kraft earlier
this year.
The Takeover Panel’s findings that Kraft should not have promised
to keep open the Cadbury Somerdale plant in Keynsham must, the
union says, serve as a warning to Kraft that their its future
behaviour towards their its new workforce will be under close
scrutiny. Earlier this year, there was equally strong
condemnation of the takeover by the BIS Sselect Ccommittee
enquiry.
Jennie Formby, Unite national officer for the food & and
drink sector, said: ‘”While nothing can compensate our members at
Somerdale for the shameful way in which they were treated by Kraft,
the strong public criticism by the Takeover Panel is a welcome
vindication of the serious concerns that Unite raised repeatedly
throughout the takeover process.
"What's needed now is legislation to ensure that this can never
happen again . The Ggovernment should immediately adopt a
‘Cadbury law’ to significantly strengthen the rights of workers
during takeovers in order to ensure there is full disclosure
of information and greater protection for jobs and conditions
.
"Unite led the campaign to oppose the hostile takeover of
Cadbury by Kraft because we saw it as our responsibility to
fight to retain the best in British industry. We will carry on that
fight to ensure Cadbury and Kraft workers are not made to pay for
this takeover through their jobs and wages.
"Further, while we were pleased to give extensive evidence to
the panel as part of the confidential enquiry, there is a
disappointing sense that if this mechanism had been in place
sooner, it may well be that Cadbury would remain an independent
company today."
ENDS
For further information, please contact Pauline Doyle on 07976
832 861
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