United Biscuits today (20 May) insisted that it had yet to receive alternative plans to restructure a UK site from trade union officials opposing the proposed move.
The McVitie’s maker, which has drawn up plans to outsource some UK jobs to India, told just-food it would push ahead with talks with union officials and staff.
“No decisions have been made, nor will any decisions be made until full consultation with the relevant stakeholders has been completed,” a United Biscuits spokesperson said.
“During the consultation we will be inviting employees and the union to share their ideas. If after a full consultation the proposal is agreed, we will do all we can to mitigate the impact for our employees.”
Plans to reorganise its finance division at the Binns Road site in Liverpool could affect some 79 jobs and has been fiercely criticised by UK union Unite.
The union has rebuked United Biscuits’ private-equity owners for being “greedy” and “more concerned about increased profit”.
“We believe that the finance function could be kept in the UK with similar savings to those the company is seeking to make but without the risk of moving members’ jobs abroad to exploit cheap labour,” said Unite regional officer Debbie Brannan.
Some 32 MPs have signed an early-day motion in Parliament to criticise the biscuit maker’s proposals.
The United Biscuits spokesperson said the company wanted to set up more meetings with “key stakeholders” including MPs, union officials and staff.
