Hundreds
of dairy industry jobs could be at risk if the merger between Express Dairies
and Arla foods goes ahead, unions claim.
Peter
Allenson, national secretary at the Transport and General Workers Union, said
the companies are talking to the press, but not giving any information to the
trade unions.
He
has written to Express Dairies to urge the chief executive to outline the
company’s plans so that workers’ questions can be answered.
Express
Dairies confirmed in press statements earlier this week that hundreds of jobs
could be at risk and compulsory redundancies could not be ruled out. It said
that profits were up by 23.5 per cent.
The
unions say they have made it clear the company has an obligation under European
law to consult with the workforce and their trade unions over job cuts.
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Allenson
said: "Express Dairies have some explaining to do and we’ll be pressing
them for answers."
