Union vows fight to stop 2 Sisters closures
The closure of 2 Sisters factories in the Black Country has been labelled a betrayal of loyal workers who have stuck with the scandal-hit company through thick and thin.
Union bosses have now vowed to leave no stone unturned in the battle to keep two chicken-processing plants in Wolverhampton and Smethwick open as talks begin with the company’s bosses.
But MPs and officials at union Unite say it is a betrayal of those employees after the recent troubles during which The House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee held an inquiry into the food group’s actions.
It follows an undercover report that claimed slaughter dates were being changed to extend the shelf-life of meat at its West Bromwich plant and poultry was being put back on the production line after being dropped on the floor.
Unite national officer for food Joe Clarke said: “These plans have caused a lot of uncertainty and dismay for the workers involved.
“Unite will be doing everything it can to support our members and secure their futures.
“It will impact on communities and employment opportunities in the West Midlands and in Scotland.
“Workers who have stuck with the company through thick and thin and worked hard to make it a success will inevitably feel a sense of betrayal.
“The 2 Sisters Food Group needs to listen to alternatives to site closures.”
Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds said she too was worried about the plans.
She said: “I am writing to the company to see if they will be putting on transport for any workers who are relocated to West Bromwich.”
2 Sisters said the sites at Gallus House, Lincoln Street, Wolverhampton (site E), which employs 150 and Bevan Way, Alpha Business Park, Smethwick (site C), where 350 work, are ageing and unsustainable.
Staff at the Wolverhampton and Smethwick sites – the oldest cuting and packing factories in the food group – are being offered the opportunity to move to the West Bromwich site at Howard Street Industrial Estate, Hill Top.
A 2 Sisters statement said: “We are now discussing a proposal with colleagues to cease operations at both sites.
“We are committed to the West Midlands and making investment at the right time in the right locations.
“This is why we will also be consulting with colleagues at our West Bromwich site (site D) about moving to a seven-day operation and investing to potentially creating 400 new jobs.”
2 Sisters is also planning to close its Cambuslang site in Scotland with up to 450 jobs at risk.
