Unite: we’ll use every weapon available to save Burton’s jobs
342 workers at the site are due to lose their jobs by the end of 2011, under company plans to close it down and consolidate production elsewhere.
When the announcement was first made a couple of weeks ago, Unite said the company had reneged on a commitment (under a memorandum of understanding agreed with the workforce when the plant was last under threat of closure in 2007) to guarantee that significant restructuring would not occur until 2012.
Speakers at the march and later rally, which begins at 10.30am, will include Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey, the union’s former general secretary, Tony Woodley, and Angela Eagle, MP, who is a vociferous opponent to Burton's plans.
Passion and strength of feeling
McCluskey said: “This is the moment for Burton’s workers, supporters and the whole community to send a clear message to Burton’s Foods that we are not prepared to sit back and let decisions be made that will destroy our community."
Adding that Unite would“use every weapon available so that we can save these jobs," McCluskey said, “We urge the people of Moreton to join us on Saturday to show Burton’s Foods the passion and strength of feeling that exists within the whole community against closure."
Responding to Unite's announcment of the rally a Burton's spokesman said: "We recognise the situation is hard for our employees and that the current local economic climate in the Wirral makes things tougher for them. But we must reiterate that we have not proposed closing this site lightly.
Closure result of careful review
"The proposal followed a careful and comprehensive review of our business as a whole as well as Moreton itself. The review showed clearly that there have been substantial changes in the marketplace and also in our business in the last five years.
"For example, the cost of our raw materials has risen hugely and despite investments of £17m since 2001, Moreton lost £5m last year and is likely to lose £7m this year. It is the only one of our sites to lose money. Alongside other factors, this is why, regretfully, we have made this proposal."
Unite claims that over 7,000 people have signed its campaign petition to stop Burton’s Foods’ closure plans for the site.
