Unilever plans job cuts at its roots

Sep 21 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

UNILEVER has announced plans to cut 140 jobs from the factory where it all began.

The Unilever site at Port Sunlight – a village built by the company’s founder to house his workers – employs more than 1,300 people.

The company is planning 140 redundancies at its Wirral site and a further 60 in Warrington.

In total, more than 300 jobs will be lost across the country and the company has said it is reviewing the future of sites elsewhere in the UK.

The company is part of a group which makes household names like Hellmann’s mayonnaise, Pot Noodle and Dove soap, employing around 8,000 in the UK.

However, it also says it plans to invest £15m at the sites in Wirral and Warrington to improve technology and secure their future.

Leader of Wirral Council Cllr Steve Foulkes offered his “sympathy and concern to all the individuals and families affected by this announce-ment”.

Cllr Foulkes said: “Any job losses are a matter of regret to the council, particularly such skilled and well-paid jobs.

“However, I am reassured by the company’s commit-ment to the site and in particular the £15m investment also announced today to help secure the future of the remaining workforce.”

The union Unite said it was “dismayed” to learn of the job losses, but added it was not unexpected.

National officer Brian Revell said: “The company has promised meaningful consultations and we will meet with them shortly to start that process.”

Wirral South MP Ben Chapman said: “Port Sunlight is the place where Unilever began and its influence on Wirral South is historic and deep. That these job losses need to occur is unfortunate, especially for those directly involved.

“But in manufacturing, sites must remain competitive and Port Sunlight has been facing a variety of pressures. The £15m investment that secures the site is welcome.”

Yesterday, local councillors in Wirral were told that Unilever had been carrying out studies recently at the Port Sunlight factory.

The email said: “These are designed to ensure our manufacturing operations in the North West are sustainable into the future.

“Port Sunlight and Warrington sourcing units are well placed to continue as strategic centres within Unilever. We are committed to continued investment in both sites and will invest a further £15m over the course of the next two years to improve technology and capability.”

Joao Ribeiro, Port Sunlight and Warrington works director, said: “Full consultation with employees and union representatives will get under way immediately.

“This change will take 12 months to complete and throughout this period we will be offering an extensive employee support programme to assist all staff.”

liammurphy