Closure decision ‘already made before firm’s review’

Aug 10 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

UNIONS have claimed a secret document shows a decision to close a biscuit factory in Wirral was taken months before a review of the business was announced.

Local leaders of the union Unite say the document, called “Project Vanilla and Philip 2”, shows the company planned to close the Burtons factory in Moreton last February.

However, last night factory owners Burton’s again said the decision to virtually close the factory was made by its board at the end of April following a review of sites across the country.

The formal announcement of the huge job losses at the factory was made to the workforce on May 11, following a review of manufacturing.

Franny Joyce, Unite regional industrial organiser, said he had asked the company for the document but had been refused, though he was subsequently sent it anonymously.

He said the content of the report had been a shock and it would have serious implications.

Mr Joyce said last night: “This document, we believe, shows that the manufacturing review was designed to justify a decision that had already been taken.

“What we have seen today confirms that Burton’s decision was to close our plant and sack our people well in advance of telling us.”

Mr Joyce said the union was now seeking an urgent meeting with Burton’s owners, Duke Street Capital.

He added: “This report shows us that the company has failed in its statutory duty to consult in a meaningful way.” Last month, members of a Treasury Select Committee heard fierce criticism of the behaviour of Duke Street Capital, which bought out Burton’s Foods, in Moreton, and then announced it was ending production, with the loss of 821 jobs.

Unions along with Wallasey MP Angela Eagle and Wirral Council have held a series of meetings with the company in a bid to save some of the workforce.

The Moreton factory employs around 1,000 people at the height of the seasonal work, with other factories across the country including Llantarnam, Edinburgh, and Blackpool.

When they made the announcement, company management said their other sites were not affected by the job losses in Moreton, and that chocolate manufacture and the assembly of seasonal assortments will continue, providing around 300 jobs in Moreton.

A spokeswoman for Burton’s Foods said: “The proposal to cease the manufacture of biscuits at Burton’s Foods site in Moreton was reached following an extensive review of the company’s total manufacturing capacity and agreed at a company board meeting at the end of April, with plans made to communicate this to employees on May 11.

“Burton’s Foods reaffirms that it has entered into consultations regarding the future of its site at Moreton in a genuine and meaningful way.”

liammurphy