‘No business case’

Coca Cola has not made the business case for the closure of its sites at Milton Keynes and Northampton and should have an urgent rethink, Unite said today (March 28).

The drinks giant has confirmed its plans, announced in January, that the manufacturing site in Milton Keynes and the distribution centre at Northampton would close in 2019 with the loss of nearly 300 jobs.

“This is devastating news for the workers and their families, and the local economies in Milton Keynes and Northampton,” said Unite regional officer Sally Mortimer.

“Unite does not believe that Coca Cola has made a convincing business case for these closures. There were strong representations from Unite during the consultation period.

“Even at this eleventh hour, we urge Coca Cola to have an urgent rethink and not to jettison the hardworking workforces at these two sites,” she added.

“We will be exploring with the company the redeployment opportunities that it has offered today, so as many workers as possible find new jobs within Coca Cola.

“As a union, we will be giving our members maximum support during this very difficult time for them.”