“In our recent talks with Cadbury senior management, it became clear that it’s unrealistic to reverse the closure programme, despite our original intent to do so,” said Irene Rosenfeld, Kraft’s chairman and chief executive. “While this is a difficult decision, we have moved quickly to end any further uncertainty.”
“It is with great anger that we heard [the] announcement by Kraft that the closure of the Somerdale plant will go ahead as planned,” said Jennie Formby, Unite’s national officer for the food and drinks sector. “The ink is barely dry on the takeover and a promise made to the Cadbury workers has been broken.”
The government has refused to intervene, but business secretary Peter Mandelson reacted with frustration to the latest news: “This will confirm the fears of those who felt the takeover would result in job losses. Kraft gave me no indication of this announcement when we met last week. It is for the company now to prove the worth of their other statements about investing in the UK.”
The Somerdale plant, which makes Crunchie and Curly Wurly bars, is to close by the end of the year.
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