UK: Union blasts Morrisons over Fresh Del Monte closure
By Katy Askew | 20 February 2012
Union officials representing staff whose jobs face the axe at a Fresh Del Monte Produce site in the UK have struck out at the "immorality" of Morrisons, the site's largest customer.
Fresh Del Monte plans to close a facility in York and informed staff last week that it was entering the mandatory 90-day worker consultation period over its plan.
While it is unclear how many jobs will be lost, Sam Vickers of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers union told just-food that the "worst case scenario" would see all 140 permanent positions at the site cut.
According to Vickers, the facility will likely be shuttered due to a decision from Morrisons to withdraw a contract worth in the region of GBP16m (US$25.4m). Vickers emphasised that this represents the "vast majority" of production at the site, where output totals approximately GBP19m.
"The decision [to close the factory] has been made because the task of getting orders to replace what they have lost is too great," Vickers said.
"This again shows the power the supermarkets and large retailers have over companies. We've got a situation where these people are being made redundant so Morrisons can make another couple of pence on the food that they sell.
"There is no morality in it. That is an old fashioned word. They don't care that they are putting people out of work or on wages that tax payers have to subsidise."
A spokesperson for Morrisions told just-food that the decision to award the contract to a different supplier was the result of a "comprehensive product review process".
Fresh Del Monte declined to comment on the planned closure.
Sectors: Chilled foods, Fresh produce, Retail
Companies: Morrisons, Fresh Del Monte Produce
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UK: Union blasts Morrisons over Fresh Del Monte closure
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