“The site is one of town’s biggest employers, if not the biggest, with more than 50 years of history in Berwick”.
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“As part of the expanded project, in the second quarter of fiscal 2016, we notified employees and their representatives of the proposal, pending consultation, to close manufacturing facilities in our worldwide segment supply chain located in Berwick, United Kingdom, and East Tamaki, New Zealand”, General Mills said in an October 29 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“This is a very upsetting day for the people of Berwick and our members will be rightly very anxious about their future”. General Mills said the site would close by next autumn if the proposal is implemented.
“There’s a lot of anxious families at the moment and no sign of any other employment”, Mr Smith said.
Consultation is now to take place with union officials and employee representatives.
The Berwick plant makes baking mixes and refrigerated and frozen dough products.
“I will be holding a public meeting for employees in the coming week and in the meantime I will continue to try to get to the bottom of the reasons for the proposed closure”.
General Mills said the layoffs and plant closures will be completed by the end of fiscal 2017.
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Coun Grant Davey, leader of Northumberland County Council said: “This is very worrying news for us in the county, and particularly for the staff who work in the factory, which has been a big employer in the town for many years”.
