Fury over top Tory branding Cadbury's workforce 'whingeing'
22nd January 2010
Workers from Cadbury's Marlbrook factory in Herefordshire are
furious over comments made by Tory MP Bill Wiggin describing the
workers who now face a very uncertain future as 'whingeing'.
Bill Wiggin said on BBC Hereford and Worcester: "Who wants to
hire a whingeing workforce when you can have a positive upbeat
one"
Unite, the union representing the workers, has charged Mr Wiggin
with a complete failure to represent his constituents working at
Cadbury, who have been told job cuts across the company are
inevitable.
Mr Wiggin refused to sign an Early Day Motion calling for
Cadbury to stay independent. On 15th January on BBC Hereford and
Worcester, Mr Wiggin told listeners that he was not a fan of Unite
- the union campaigning to protect his constituent's jobs - and the
campaign would not make any difference as he believed Cadbury would
not sell and stay independent. How wrong Bill Wiggin was.
On 20th January on the 8am news on BBC Hereford & Worcester,
Mr Wiggin decided to again go on air, expressing to listeners that
the Cadbury Marlbrook workforce should be more positive about the
situation, as the new employer will not take kindly to
whingeing.
Unite's national officer Jennie Formby said: "Mr Wiggin is a
disgrace to his constituents and has done Cadbury's workers a great
disservice. Voters will remember when this MP turned his back on
Cadbury's workers in their hour of need.
"Cadbury's workers face an uncertain future, they are
campaigning to protect their jobs - it's not whingeing, it's
standing up for their livelihoods, homes and their families. This
is a classic example of the uncaring Conservatives."
The union's convenor at the factory has written to Mr Wiggin to
express the workers' fury.
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
BBC Howard Bentham show - Tory MP Bill Wiggin can be
heard on the link about 2 hours and 8 mins into the show (available
until 27th January 2010).
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