Keep Cadbury independent – Unite campaign comes to the House of
Commons
15th December 2009
Photo-opportunity: Wednesday, December 16th, 2009,
briefing meeting: 10am, Room M, Portcullis House
11.30am, New Palace Yard, Palace of Westminster
Workers, MPs, Unite the union, and Cadbury favourites (Crème Eggs,
Dairy Milk and Fruit and Nut)
Workers from Cadbury's UK plants will head to the Commons
tomorrow (Wednesday) to urge MPs to join the fight to keep the
chocolate maker independent.
The workers are members of the Unite union, which has been
mounting a campaign to protect Cadbury's from hostile bids.
Unite is concerned that an unsolicited offer by transnational Kraft
is prompting speculation that other companies are lining up to bid
for Cadbury.
This week, Unite contacted Cadbury shareholders to urge them to
turn down Kraft's bid as it would be funded by massive debt and
could see investment decisions about UK and Ireland plants move
overseas. The union and the workers are also seeking commitments
that jobs, wages and pensions will not be slashed to pay for any
"borrowing to buy" strategy by Kraft or another bidder.
MPs are being asked to show their support for the workforce and
an independent Cadbury by signing an early day motion, which calls
on the government to do all it can to block hostile bids and stop
the company being saddled with debt. The workers are also hoping to
meet with business secretary Lord Mandelson later that day in
private where they will thank him for his support and urge that he
continues to help preserve Cadbury's independence and
stability.
6,200 workers in the UK and Ireland depend on Cadbury for
employment.
ENDS
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