Playing chicken with workers’ jobs?

Potential job losses are on the horizon, as it was revealed on Friday (February 20) that a poultry plant employing almost 800 people in North Wales would be cutting an entire shift, significantly reducing the workforce.

 
But Unite leaders have been working around the clock in intense negotiations with plant owner 2 Sisters, one of the largest private sector employers in the Anglesey town of Llangefni.

 
After hours-long meetings held this week, Unite regional organiser Paddy McNaught said they were able to stem many of the planned redundancies, but added that nonetheless more than 200 jobs would likely go.

 
“These job losses will have a significant impact on the area,” McNaught explained. “Much of the work available locally is minimum wage. There aren’t many opportunities here. So when you have a large employer, where many of the job cuts will be those above minimum wage that are decently paid, the effect can be devastating.”

 
The 2 Sisters plant currently employs 593 direct employees and another 168 agency workers.

 
Although negotiations are still ongoing, McNaught explained that there may be a positive outcome despite the redundancies.

 
“Our plan is to work with the employer and gain assurances that the future of the plant will be maintained,” he said. “So far, prospects on this front look promising.”

 
2 Sisters shift cutting has come as the company aims to switch to a different operating model which will process fewer chickens each week.

 
McNaught said this has given the union an opportunity to bargain for better pay and conditions for the remaining workforce.

 
“In addition to stemming the worst of the job cuts through voluntary redundancies, we’re aiming to harmonise terms and conditions while also introducing the Living Wage as the minimum standard,” he said.

 
“Hopefully, in the end, we’ll have some good news in spite of the bad.”

 
Stay tuned for the latest on UNITElive as negotiations with the poultry plant company continue.