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Chips are down for 120 workers at McCain factory in Staffs(The Birmingham Post Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Up to 120 jobs are to be axed from a frozen food plant in Staffordshire. McCain Foods announced yesterday that "local environmental constraints" at its site in Wombourne had made the production of chips uneconomical. The job losses represent a halving of the workforce. A 90-day consultation of workers will begin on August 30, the company said. This will follow the election of an employee consultation committee. McCain's regional chief executive, Nick Vermont, said: "Despite millions of pounds of investment over many years at Wombourne, we still face significant issues relating to local environmental constraints. "These continue to cause serious operational difficulties and, as a result, french fry production at Wombourne is no longer economically viable." Under the firm's proposals, the site will now focus on the preparation of speciality potato products with chip production moving to other sites in the UK. Mr Vermont said the decision to cease production had been difficult and in no way reflected on the workforce. "During this difficult period all employees will continue to be treated with fairness and respect and McCain will ensure that affected employees receive above statutory severance terms," he added. The company has said it will also assist workers with finding alternative employment. Copyright 2007 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd , Source: The Financial Times Limited |