The company is proposing that the work will now be done from their existing Thrapston site, in north Northamptonshire, and their site at junction 41 of the M1 near Wakefield. The company has set out a proposed timetable for a phased closure to be completed by the end of October.
Joanne McGuinness – Usdaw National Officer says: “Following a full review of their fruit packing manufacturing facilities, Morrisons has proposed the closure of their Cutler Heights site, with the work to be done from existing Wakefield and Northamptonshire facilities. This is obviously devastating news for the staff impacted by today’s company announcement.
“We will now enter into consultation talks with the company, starting this week, where will interrogate the business case for their proposal. Our priorities are to keep as many staff employed by Morrisons as possible and to get the best deal for our members. In the meantime we are providing Usdaw members with the support, advice and representation they need at this difficult time.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 350,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion