Unite in crisis talks with United Biscuits to stop UK jobs going
abroad
13th May 2009
Unite the union, representing workers at United Biscuits, will
begin talks with the company tomorrow (Thursday 14th May), over
plans to send UK jobs abroad.
Workers from the Binns Road site in Liverpool were left angry
and stunned this week as the company confirmed plans to move UK
jobs to India. The company’s proposals are expected to affect
110 UK jobs including 53 in Liverpool.
Since the threat of moving jobs abroad became public, workers at
United Biscuits have been campaigning vigorously and backed by
their union, Unite, to save their jobs gathering massive support
from across Merseyside and from local MPs.
Unite has been pressing United Biscuits for meaningful talks on
the jobs plan. The union says the workers will continue to
pursue every avenue open to them to fight to keep these jobs at the
Liverpool site during the consultation period.
Unite regional officer, Debbie Brannan, said: "The mood of the
workers is one of anger. People are frustrated and upset.
"They feel as though they have been kept in the dark all along
over plans to move Liverpool jobs to India. We believe United
Biscuits is not abiding by its legal obligations with a shortened
consultation period of 30 days when these workers have every right
to expect the full three months consultation period. United
Biscuits has had months to consider the jobs plan yet the company
expects us to come back with alternative proposals to save these
jobs in just 30 days! This is utterly unacceptable.
“But the fight is not over yet. Our priority is to keep people
in work and jobs for the future. Unite will do everything in its
power, through the consultation period, to try to save these jobs
and stop UK jobs being sent abroad - we just hope it will be a
meaningful consultation and not consultation on how to move the
jobs to India."
Over 4,000 people across Merseyside have already signed up to
support the campaign petition to stop United Biscuits moving
Liverpool jobs to India. Unite is urging people to support the
workers and sign the petition today at: www.unitetheunion.org/northwest.
ENDS
For further information please contact Karen Viquerat,
communications officer on 01704 546 500 or 07768931316 or Debbie
Brannan on 07768 931271.
Notes to editors
On 16th May 2009, Unite will hold a march through Birmingham.
This will be the centrepiece of the 'Unite for Jobs' campaign. The
March for Jobs will spotlight the need for urgent assistance to
defend jobs.
To see what the Unite for Jobs demands are or for information on
the march visit: www.action.unitetheunion.org/campaigns/uniteforjobs
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