Nestlé announces job cuts in the UK – Unions announce a fight

Workers and their union representatives learned on 25 April of Nestlé’s proposal to change terms and conditions which would affect 298 jobs at four factories producing chocolate and confectionery in the UK.

Nestlé claims the need to “adapt to rising costs and new consumer trends by simplifying processes, making factories more efficient and increasing competitiveness”. How will they do this? By transferring production of an iconic British chocolate biscuit to Poland, reducing shifts and changing shift patterns.

Both GMB and Unite have announced they are ready to campaign with members and their communities to protect jobs and working conditions. They see no justification for the proposed changes; in fact, the company has yet to supply a business case to justify the proposals. There has been widespread anger, particularly as the company publically admitted to have been working on the proposals for several months.

Meanwhile, 31 MPs have called on the government to intervene and work with MPs, Unite and GMB and the company to avert these job losses and prevent further job losses at Nestlé.