Burtons pledge to look at alternative to closing site

Jul 27 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

THE owners of a Wirral biscuit factory threatened with huge redundancies yesterday promised to look at proposals put forward by unions and Wallasey MP Angela Eagle to save jobs at the site.

The pledge was made at a meeting yesterday evening in the House of Commons with the management of Burtons, who own the Moreton factory where 821 job losses have been announced.

A spokesperson for Burton’s Foods said unions representing employees presented alternative proposals for the site to the Burton’s Foods Board, including representatives from Duke Street Capital, owners of Burton’s.

Also in attendance at the meeting were Angela Eagle and representatives from the North West Development Agency and Wirral Borough Council.

Last night Ms Eagle said the T&G section of Unite had put a “very detailed, authoritative and impressive piece of work” forward to the Burton’s board.

She said she remained optimistic the factory still has a future under the union’s proposals, which include reorganising production at the site, although some job losses would still need to take place.

Ms Eagle said: “They have come up with a viable alternative plan which demonstrates there is a future, if the company wishes, for manufacturing at Moreton.

“I remain optimistic that we can persuade the board that this is a better future for them, as well as for the people of Moreton.”

Officials from the T&G section of Unite, including Tony Woodley and Ritchie James, presented the plan to save hundreds of jobs.

Mr Woodley said: “We are fighting not just for the plant and our members but our local community. This plant does not need to close.”

Richie James said the key elements of the union proposal meet the strategic growth areas for the company as set out by the Burton’s board.

These include £7.3m of savings, delivering on the Cadbury brand, building a centre of manufacturing excellence, and keeping a skilled workforce.

The union officials also told Burton’s directors that the company had had over £30m in savings following changes to contracts of employment at the plant.

They said these changes meant direct losses for each individual worker which could form the basis of a huge compensation claim, although Burtons said last night it would not comment on any possible claims.

The spokeswoman for Burton said: “The management team will now spend time giving the proposals their full consideration.

“Burton’s Foods’ management has provided extensive information, beyond established practice for this type of process.”

liammurphy