GMB slam Britvic’s decision to end consultation over Norwich site closure
GMB slam Britvic’s unwillingness to continue meaningful consultation over Norwich site closure in letter to director Jeremy Howard
The company is sinking in its own spring water due to their greed and disrespect to their dedicated workforce, says GMB London
GMB, the union for staff at Britvic, have slammed the company’s decision not to continue in meaningful consultation over the closure of their Norwich site. Last year, Britvic announced that the factory would be closing towards the end of 2019, putting 242 jobs at risk. [See notes to editors for previous GMB press releases
Despite efforts by GMB Union and its members to engage in meaningful consultation, the final stance clarified by its director, Jeremy Howard, was he is “unwilling” to discuss further.
This is despite the current redundancy package offering being substantially less than offers by Unilever whom share the same site.
In a letter sent to Jeremy Howard, GMB wrote:
“I feel this is disrespectful to a good working relationship and also disrespectful to the workers on site in Norwich.
“You will be aware that many of these workers have provided Britvic with years of dedicated service and the offering from the company will likely result with some workers being financially impacted following the closure of the site.
“Your Chief Executive, Simon Litherland, previously stated that the closure will be ‘upsetting for our colleagues in Norwich’. From speaking to many of the members on site this is an understatement, DEVASTATING and DISAPPOINTED IN BRITVIC would be more accurate.
“There is also wider disappointment to the Norwich public who too may be financially impacted due to your refusal to negotiate.”
Keith Dixon, GMB Regional Organiser said:
“The stance taken by Britvic will have a long lasting effect on the local community within Norwich and Britvic’s own brand.
“Current workers on site may never work again or have to accept a much lower salary.
“Britvic products currently benefit from natural spring water that originates from beneath the Norwich factory giving it its natural genuine taste.
“Putting profits before customers and workers will result with a change of ingredients of the Britvic products. It will also put the dedicated workers within Norwich into financial hardship.
“This is truly a sad day for Norwich and disappointing for a company who has benefited financially, over many years, over the hard work and dedication put in by the workers within the community.
“The company is sinking in its own spring water due to their greed and disrespect to their dedicated workforce.
“I have arranged for the members within Britvic to be updated upon the company’s stance and to gain their direction upon a response to the company.”
ENDS
Contact: Keith Dixon 07703 469 403 or GMB London Press Office 07970 114 762
Notes to Editors
Previous GMB Press Releases:
1) GMB hold rally in support of Britvic workers (7 Sept 2018)
https://www.gmblondon.org.uk/news/gmb-hold-rally-in-support-of-britvic-workers
2) GMB concerned over use of untrained labour at Britvic during strike action (3 Aug 2018)
3) GMB members at Britvic to take further strike action (17 Jul 2018)
https://www.gmblondon.org.uk/news/gmb-members-at-britvic-to-take-further-strike-action
4) GMB members at Britvic to hold one-day strike (28 Jun 2018)
https://www.gmblondon.org.uk/news/gmb-members-at-britvic-to-hold-one-day-strike
5) GMB members at Britvic vote in favour of strike action (15 Jun 2018)
https://www.gmblondon.org.uk/news/gmb-members-at-britvic-vote-in-favour-of-strike-action
6) GMB members at Britvic ballot for industrial action (23 May 2018)
https://www.gmblondon.org.uk/news/gmb-members-at-britvic-to-ballot-on-industrial-action
7) GMB call on Business Secretary to intervene in Britvic closure (21 Dec 2017)
https://www.gmblondon.org.uk/news/gmb-call-on-business-secretary-to-intervene-in-britvic-closure
8) GMB disappointed by Britvic directors disregard of Norwich factory closure (5 Dec 2017)
9) GMB call on Britvic directors to intervene in closure of Robinsons factory in Norwich (3 Nov 2017)
10) Norwich MP vows to work with GMB to save Britvic jobs under threat (16 Oct 2017)
https://www.gmblondon.org.uk/news/britvic-jobs-under-threat
