‘Rotten apple’ employers

More bad news for Shepton Mallet Cider Mill came today (March 2) as C&C Group announced its first 40 redundancies, with workers’ last day set for May 25.

 
Unite regional coordinating officer Steve Preddy said it was “very sad, but not unexpected, news.”

 
“The employees and their families are devastated, as you would expect,” he added. “But it is also a grim day for the town of Shepton Mallet and its historic and proud links to the art of cider making, stretching back to 1770.

 
“The fact that a third of the workforce has now been given notice at the Shepton Mallet Cider Mill just reinforces the need for the management to accelerate their efforts to find a buyer for the site.

 
“Any such sale would be greatly assisted if the company agreed to sell its well-known brands, such as Blackthorn and Olde English, as well as the site itself,” Preddy went on to say.

 
“The brands and the site would make a very attractive package for a potential buyer at this already profitable site with an enthusiastic and dedicated workforce.

 
“The owners, the Dublin-based C&C Group, are proving to be a rotten apple amongst employers.”