Bosses of a Wombourne chip factory today spoke of the difficulty of the past months as more than 100 workers clock in for their last ever shifts.
Around 120 workers at the McCain factory are now facing Christmas without a job following weeks of crisis talks.
Plans to cut half the 240-strong workforce at the Heath Mill Road industrial estate site were put forward in August after years of complaints about noise and fumes.
Workers fought to keep their jobs as a 90-day consultation was launched, but within days unions warned talks were not working and job cuts were unavoidable due to strict ‘environmental health constraints’.French fry production from the site will now be moved to Scarborough after attempts to tackle noise and fumes with new technology failed to satisfy nearby residents.
Will Hill, McCain spokesman, said: “This has been a difficult time for all of us at McCain and it is certainly no reflection on the highly-valued work performed by our staff at the Wombourne site.”
He said employees had been attending workshops, presentations and one-to-one surgeries with employment specialists to help them find new work.
3 Comments
It is a sad day to see half the workforce having to leave such a well known, local company. I hope the local residents who have complained over the years have a wonderful Christmas because there are a lot of families whose husbands and wifes have been made redundant today who wont have a good Christmas. Thumbs up and all the best to the new proposed Sainsburys. You can count on my vote.
I work on the estate behind and only occasionally could you smell the potatoes. The smell and flies from the sewage works is much much worse! Have a good christmas all those who complained.
I woke up this morning feeling total berevement & loss, amazing no local residents tobe seen yesterday chanting and protesting when we walked out of the gates for the last time & yet 20th Aug they were there shouting Hi Hip Hurahh outside McCain gates, what will they do when Sainsbury’s is built, more HGV vehicles 24hrs a day more cars but that will be different why because they shop at Sainsbury’s. My heart goes with my colleges that have had to walk & for thoes left behind.