‘Abrupt and brutal’

The ‘abrupt and brutal’ termination of Tesco’s contract with Kerry Foods has put hundreds of jobs at risk at the Burton-on-Trent site, Unite warned today (October 24).

The Tesco ready-made meals contract, due to end in June next year, accounts for 75 per cent of the production at the Mosley Street plant.

“Tesco has abruptly terminated the contract for Kerry Foods to supply ready-made meals for its supermarkets,” said Unite regional officer Rick Coyle.

“The contract has run for 19 years with no complaint about the service quality and delivery, which makes the Tesco decision all the more brutal.

“Kerry Foods’ management is currently looking for new contracts to replace the business that will be lost,” he added.

“Over the last three years, more than £20m has been invested in the Burton-on-Trent plant, making it one the most modern food production sites in the UK. This should give confidence to the workforce that new orders will be obtained.

“I would like to pay tribute to the employees who have continued to work to a high and dedicated standard, despite the very real worries they and their families must be experiencing during this period of great uncertainty.”

“Unite will do all it can to work with management in the quest for new work at this premier site.”

Unite has about 460 members out of the 1,000-strong workforce at the Burton-on-Trent site.