Unite calls for talks as Derby cigarette filter
manufacturer announces the loss of 460 jobs
27 April 2010
The Derby economy has received ‘a body blow’, following today’s
(Tuesday, 27 April) announcement that cigarette filter
manufacturer, Celanese Acetate Products is to close its city plant
with the loss of 460 jobs.
Unite, the largest union in the country, called for the US-owned
company to enter into talks so that the company could be ‘sold as a
going concern’.
Unite regional officer, Jackie Williams said: ‘We believe that
this long-standing Derby employer is a profitable concern and we
will be calling for talks with the management to sell this plant as
a going concern. The loss of these jobs would be a body blow
to Derby.’
Unite understands that the plant will finally close at the end
of 2011. The jobs earmarked to go include managerial, professional,
manual, tradesmen and clerical grades. Production is expected to be
shifted to China.
Jackie Williams said: ‘We believe that Celanese Acetate Products
is the only manufacturer of cigarette filters in the UK and there
seems no sense in it closing when you have Nottingham, a major
cigarette producer, just 30 minutes drive away. There is also a
major cigarette manufacturer in Ireland.’
‘Over recent years, the workforce have bent over backwards to
assist the company with increased productivity and a wage freeze
last year. This is a poor way to repay the efforts of hard-working
staff.’
-ends-
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS:
For further information, please ring: Unite Regional Officer
Jackie Williams 07730 638 635 or Shaun Noble, Communications
Officer 020 7420 8951 or 07768 693
940
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