Poultry plant closure will see 600 jobs axed
PLANS to close a poultry processing factory which employs over 600 workers have been described as “devastating”.
Midland-based 2 Sisters Food Group is planning to close its “ageing” Midland poultry processing plant where more than 600 staff are employed.
The Unite union met with the 2 Sisters Food Group on Monday to discuss the future of the site in Smethwick.
The food group said it had launched a consultation with staff at the factory on Alpha Business Park.
The plant supplies retailers, manufacturers and other 2 Sisters sites with chicken portions. It opened in 1996 and employs 630 staff.
A statement by 2 Sisters said: “We are consulting with colleagues about a proposal to cease production at our poultry processing site in Smethwick and as a result the site could close.
“The factory is ageing and has significant challenges to meet the standards required by ourselves and our customers.
“We do not take this decision lightly and fully understand the impact if this proposal goes ahead. This is why we will offer affected colleagues up to 200 roles currently at our West Midlands locations which we will convert from agency to permanent roles. In addition, we will also seek redeployment of colleagues to our other sites in the West Midlands and the wider group. We are committed to our operations in the West Midlands and will work hard to ensure all possible options for colleagues are fully explored before any final decisions are made.”
Two Sisters Food Group, which is run by Ranjit Boparan, also owns popular brands such Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip restaurants, Fox’s Goodfella’s pizza.
Last month, staff from across the region gathered outside its office in Birmingham city centre to protest as part of a dispute with management.
Unite national officer for food Julia Long said: “This is devastating news for the company’s workforce at the Smethwick site and their families.
“Unite will be offering our members maximum support at this very worrying time.
“Unite will study the implications of the announcement from the 2 Sisters Food Group and we will be strongly arguing the case to mitigate job losses through redeployment across the firm’s other operations in the West Midlands.
“We will be holding urgent talks with the management on where we will be looking at the business case behind this announcement.” biscuits and