Members of Unite at Sidcup, East Kilbride, Bristol, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Wakefield and Edmonton in London, where strikes have been held over threatened job cuts, will hold protests.
“We’re extremely concerned that a recession-resistant company seems bent on using the economic difficulties to force through attacks on jobs and pay,” said Jennie Formby of Unite. “While the boardroom rewards shareholders, it’s callously cutting the jobs of the workers who help make Coke its massive profits. Unite is demanding that Coke thinks again. As a very minimum, there must be a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies, permanent pay protection for all displaced workers, and Coke must start to engage fully in meaningful consultation about making sure our members don’t pay the price for changes that will further benefit this phenomenally profitable company.”
A spokesman for Coca-Cola Enterprises said: “Coca-Cola Enterprises is proposing to make changes at our manufacturing and distribution sites in Britain. These changes target a single, consistent way of working across all our plants in Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and France, so that we can remain competitive and grow our business for the future. No decisions have yet been made, and we’re now in consultation with employee representatives. If implemented, the changes would impact seven sites in Britain.
“The proposed changes could result in up to an estimated 120 roles being at risk of redundancy in Britain. However, 130 new roles and other development opportunities would also be created. We’re committed to meaningful consultation throughout this process and will seek to manage and mitigate the impact on our people wherever possible.”
Source: Associated Press
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