Unite demands Burton’s comes clean on closure plans
27 January 2011
Unite, the union representing hundreds of workers at Burton’s
Foods, is demanding the company's management confirms full closure
plans for the site at Moreton. The union says secrecy over
the plans is preventing them from putting forward an alternative
plan in good time to save the 342 jobs now hanging in the
balance.
Further, Unite is concerned that the lack of transparency over
the plant's future suggest that the company is preparing to abandon
its commitment to support the site - the biggest employer in the
area - until 2012. Anxiety and anger is mounting at the site,
as workers fear for their futures yet directors have awarded
themselves astronomical pay hikes.
The workers want all details of Burton’s plans to be made
available to the trade union. Such vital information will
enable Unite to consider the rationale behind their closure
proposals and ensure all viable alternatives are examined to keep
the Wirral biscuit factory open.
Unite will be pressing for clarification and demanding an
extension to the consultation period at today’s meeting with
Burton’s group operations director, Andy Readshaw. The union
will also be addressing Burton’s failure to comply with a
memorandum of understanding signed in 2007 between the company and
Unite which guaranteed work at the Moreton site until 2012 and the
company’s commitment to make Moreton its “flag ship” site.
Unite believes Burton’s at Moreton, the home of Cadbury’s
chocolate biscuits, does have a future and has vowed to fight
Burton’s proposals to close the site by the end of the year, with
the loss of 342 jobs. The workers want to reiterate their concerns
about job losses and the impact the closure will have on their
families and the wider community.
Unite regional officer, Ritchie James, said: “Burton’s needs to
come clean on its closure plans for Moreton. The workers are
extremely anxious and fear the worst. The company has a duty
to stop this agony now.
"That is why we are pressing for clarity on the rationale behind
this wrongful decision. We also want an explanation as to why
Burton’s will not give Unite access to the vital information we
need to propose an alternative to closure.
"Moreton’s loyal workforce feel betrayed by Burton’s. They
have put up with a four year pay freeze to save jobs but it has
come to nothing – the company is closing the door in their faces.
And at the same time five greedy board directors have bitten-off 90
per cent pay increases and one board member has swallowed a full
119 per cent pay increase - how disgraceful is that!
"Unite will fight this proposed closure and stop Burton’s
destroying jobs and the local community.”
Unite is seeking urgent talks with Burton’s chief executive
officer, Ben Clarke, to challenge why he is failing to honour his
commitment to the signed previous agreement regarding the future of
the Moreton site.
ENDS
For further information please contact Karen Viquerat,
communications officer on 07768931316 or Ritchie James on
07736171546.
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