Union criticises Tulip’s sudden plant closure

WORKERS’ union Unite has accused Danish-owned company Tulip Meats of trying to renege on a redundancy deal offered to 218 workers at the Tranfoods factory in Birkenhead.

The firm announced last month that it had begun consultation with staff at the plant. However, the plant was suddenly closed on Monday with the firm citing “ongoing operational issues”.

Peter Judge, chief operating officer of Tulip said: “There have been a number of operational issues with the Abbey Street site that has meant we have had to take the very difficult decision to cease all production as from today.

“Although everyone at Tranfoods has been working very hard, the operational difficulties have proven to be far greater than first envisaged and have left us with no viable option other than to cease production.”

The union said that its 218 workers were informed by letter on Monday of the immediate closure. The later stated that Unite had agreed to the proposed closure, which the union has denied.

Its regional officer Franny Joyce said: “Instead of doing the right thing for its loyal workforce Tulip is doing everything it can to divert attention away from its vulture-like behaviour and the attempt to renege on a previously-agreed redundancy deal.

“Since Tulip acquired Tranfoods in December last year it is clear that the company has made no attempt to keep the site open.  Instead it has been putting all the efforts into removing the meat from the site, leading to business closure and job losses.

“During the consultation process, we have had to discuss the difficult economic situation we face but to claim publicly that this means we have reached an agreement is a smokescreen to divert attention away from their behaviour.

“This site has provided products to all the leading supermarkets for over 30 years. To be treated this way – despite all the workers’ best efforts – is scandalous and needs resolving immediately.”