Unionists battle to save factory
TRADE unionists are today battling to save 66 jobs in Needham Market by campaigning to keep a busy factory up and running.The Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) is fighting the decision to close the Unilever Bestfoods UK site.
TRADE unionists are today battling to save 66 jobs in Needham Market by campaigning to keep a busy factory up and running.
The Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) is fighting the decision to close the Unilever Bestfoods UK site.
In November the factory - which manufactures Elmlea - announced its closure.
Doors are to be permanently closed in 2006 when the business is being transferred to an existing site in Purfleet, Essex, in a bid to save up to £3m a year.
A top level meeting has now been organised between factory management, T&G officials and MP for Bury St Edmunds David Ruffley as the T&G attempts to keep it open.
Brian Smith, regional industrial organiser for the T&G, said: "We are objecting as we don't feel there's a need to close the site
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"The company still continues to make a high profit margin at Needham Market but people's jobs and livelihoods are being put at risk.
"Staff have been very loyal, which the company recognises, and this closure will have a dramatic effect on them. They feel let down because a lot of hard work has been put in to make the brand successful."
There will be no compulsory redundancies for at least ten months.
