Redundancies announced at the Cromer Crab Company leaves Unite
members devastated
9 December 2011
Just weeks away from Christmas 70 staff at the Cromer Crab
Company will receive their redundancy letters as management
announced the ‘first batch’ of redundancies at the iconic crab
processing plant - a decision which Unite has branded
disgraceful.
Unite members have been infuriated by the redundancy notices,
which have gone out weeks before the 90-day consultation period was
due to conclude.
The 230 staff now face a very bleak Christmas - uncertain of
their future. They were left devastated by the announcement two
months ago by parent company, Young's Seafood Limited, that the
famous shellfish processing company was proposing to close.
The people of Cromer have been proudly processing its famous
crabs for decades and closure of the Cromer Crab Company, one of
the biggest employers in the town, will have an immense effect on
the local economy.
The threat to the iconic site has rallied the local community
who have shown tremendous support for the workforce in their fight
to save the processing plant.
Unite regional officer, Ivan Crane, said: “Just weeks away from
Christmas, these letters sent out to staff telling them that they
will shortly be made redundant is nothing short of disgraceful. Our
members are infuriated that even before the consultation period had
finished, management has decided what will happen.
“The proposed closure, of one of the towns’ biggest employers
will have a profound effect on local community, the surrounding
district and has left this committed and loyal workforce feeling as
though they are being abandoned.
“We continue to urge management to rethink the move as its
success and growth has been built around a product that is part of
the heritage of Cromer. We believe the company has an obligation to
this town and that the Cromer Crab Company should remain in
Cromer.”
ENDS
For further information contact Ivan Crane on 07970 081528 or
Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite press office on 020 3371 2061 or
07980 224761
