Following today’s announcement by Greggs that they are proposing to close four manufacturing site cutting over 700 jobs at risk including the Penrith factory, Markus Campbell-Savours MP for Penrith and Solway said: “I am extremely disappointed that Greggs is proposing to close its Penrith manufacturing site. This announcement will be deeply worrying for the people who work there, their families and the wider community.
“The Penrith workforce has played its part in the company’s success, and those employees deserve far more than uncertainty about their livelihoods.
“I expect Greggs to engage genuinely with the workforce and trade union representatives during the consultation and to properly consider every available alternative to closure. I will be seeking assurances that everything possible is being done to safeguard local jobs.”
Sarah Woolley General Secretary of The Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) said “The BFAWU is deeply concerned by today's announcement from Greggs, which places hundreds of workers and their livelihoods at risk as part of proposed changes to the company's manufacturing network.
Our immediate priority is our members, their jobs, their families and the communities that could be affected by these proposals.
Greggs is clear in its own announcement that the business continues to perform strongly, that more customers are choosing Greggs than ever before, and that it is investing significantly to support further growth.
Against that backdrop, our members will understandably be asking why their jobs and livelihoods should now be put at risk in the name of efficiency and future progression.
The workers affected by these proposals have played a huge part in getting Greggs to where it is today. They cannot simply be dropped like stones as the company moves on to its next phase of growth.
We recognise that Greggs has stated that no final decisions have been made and that a consultation process will now take place.
The BFAWU will be entering that process determined to scrutinise these proposals in full, challenge the business case where necessary and explore every possible alternative to compulsory redundancies and site closures. We will do everything within our power to fight for and protect jobs
These are not numbers on a spreadsheet. These are people with mortgages and rents to pay, families to support and years, in many cases decades, of service to Greggs.
Growth and investment should provide greater security and opportunity for the workforce that helped create that success, not leave those workers wondering whether they still have a future in the business.
BFAWU will be working closely with our members and representatives throughout the consultation process.
We will ensure their voices are heard loudly and clearly, and we expect Greggs to engage with us meaningfully and genuinely consider alternatives to job losses.
Our message to our members affected by today's announcement is simple: you are not facing this alone.
Your union will stand alongside you, and we will fight."
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
