Union boss says 150 agency workers jobs under threat

A further 150 jobs are at risk with the threat of a crisp factory’s closure, union bosses have said.

Representatives from the GMB met with Walkers chiefs in the hours after they told 355 production staff and 25 HGV drivers that their jobs will go if it presses ahead with a plan to close its plant in Peterlee on New Year’s Eve.

Now the union has said a further 150 agency staff positions, which help run the Stephenson Road plant, will also go if the PepsiCo-owned firm shuts down the site.

Michael Hunt, the union’s regional organiser with responsibility for the Walkers plant, claimed the company had said its location in the north as a reason why the East Durham site should shut, as most of its product supplies the south.

He has called that an “excuse,” citing companies such as Caterpillar and Nissan as success stories which also supply the south and are remaining in the region.

He added: “I’ve been speaking to members and when we were talking about 380 staff, there are also 150 agency staff on the site and they also contribute to the local economy.

“The plant couldn’t run without those agency workers.

Workers are still coming to terms with the proposal, which could shut the factory opened in 1960 and owned by Walkers since 1989.

Mr Hunt added: “Staff say they are completely shocked and disappointed.

“There are whole families that work there, mothers, fathers and their children and now they are looking with uncertainty at their future.”