The Unite trade union has responded to yesterday’s news that Nestlé is planning to cut 16,000 jobs globally over the next two years as part of wider plans to accelerate growth at the world’s largest food manufacturer after a difficult few years.
The Swiss-based firm revealed that the jobs of 12,000 administrative staff and a further 4,000 in manufacturing and supply are at risk. The impact on Nestlé’s workforce in the UK was not clear from the corporate announcement.
Unite represents over a thousand members at Nestlé’s UK sites in York, Halifax, Dalston and Tutbury, as well as additional staff at Buxton Water (owned by Nestlé).
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Nestlé is a profitable company, selling billions of products every month. Job losses are simply unacceptable. Unite will not allow our members to be the victims of any attempt to put profits before jobs.”
Unite national officer for food and drink, Paul Travers, added: “The new CEO seems to put priorities on larger profit margins compared to the people who work hard to deliver them. His approach is unacceptable, and Unite will respond robustly to any attacks on jobs in the UK.”
NAM Implications:
- Real issue is about who blinks first…
