Unite fears job losses as Heinz swallows up Kraft

Unions have voiced their concern over the safety of UK jobs after the announced merger of Heinz and Kraft Foods in a $100billion deal.

Unite’s national officer for the food sector, Julia Long, said “We will be seeking urgent meetings about the future security of our members’ jobs. We also want to know what the combined company’s future business plan will be for its sites in the UK. We know from experience that deals like this often involve job losses and ruthless cost-cutting, as global capital wants a quick return on its investment”.

Unite claims to have 1,300 members amongst their UK staff – including some at Kitt Green in Wigan, the biggest food-processing plant in Europe, where more than a billion cans of beans, soup, and other products are produced each year. Heinz also has sites in Hayes, Kendal, Worcester, and Telford.