Workers opposed to plans by Cadbury Schweppes to cut 700 jobs and close a manufacturing site in the country have demanded more information from the company for the reasons behind the move.

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The T&G section of Unite met with Cadbury officials yesterday (12 November) to discuss the confectioner’s plans to close its Keynsham chocolate factory by 2010, a move that will affect 500 employees.


Workers at four Cadbury plants in the UK have voted in favour of a ballot on strike action over the closure. Under Cadbury’s proposals, some 200 jobs at its flagship Bournville site will also be transferred to Poland.


A spokesman for Unite told just-food that the union had pressed Cadbury for more information, which it hoped to receive early next week.


“Cadbury has not convinced us of the financial, business or environmental case of what they’re doing,” the spokesman said.

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“We think it was an ill-thought through decision. The more we think about it, the more we think that it’s due to the City and shareholders who were upset at the non-sale of Schweppes in the summer.”


Last month, Cadbury said it would spin off its US drinks arm having failed to find a buyer for the company.


A Cadbury spokesman was coy about what the company discussed with the union. “What is discussed in the meetings should stay within those meetings – that’s the proper place for it,” the spokesman told just-food.


He added: “The closure is in the best interests of the long-term future of the business but we remain committed to UK manufacturing and have announced plans to invest GBP40m (US$83m) into the Bournville plant.”


Cadbury flagged plans to streamline its business worldwide in June in a bid to boost margins. Cadbury said it would axe 15% of its workforce as part of a global cost-cutting drive that it hopes will reshape the business.


The company also plans to close 15% of its manufacturing facilities around the world over the next four years.