Pork giant Tulip has confirmed plans to cut 150 jobs at its Bodmin factory due to a “significant fall in production” following a “loss of business”.
The number of jobs lost was lower than the 170 the Danish Crown-owned supplier had initially warned of when it launched a 45-day consultation in April, but was described as “a body blow to the Cornish economy” by trade union Unite.
Tulip said it worked closely with employees at the Bodmin factory - which employs about 320 staff in total - and managed to successfully find alternative roles for a number of employees within the Danish Crown group.
“Various employee support activities have also been taking place since the initial announcement was made,” the supplier said in a statement.
“We’ll make every effort to support anyone affected through redundancy packages and continued recruitment advice, and would like to take this opportunity to thank both our employees and the wider local community for their support during this difficult period,” it added.
The latest job cuts at the site follow a loss of 430 positions since the start of 2016, Unite regional officer Deborah Hopkins said, as she urged Tulip to invite the unions to work with it.
“Tulip [previously] lost a contract with Tesco, and then the staff agreed to a change of contract to support the company, so they are very disappointed to find themselves being made redundant,” Hopkins added.
“Their goodwill has reaped a sour dividend which has been compounded by the lack of information from the firm before this decision was announced. Reaction locally is one of shock and worry for families, and fears that the Cornish economy will struggle to provide replacement work.”
Young’s to close Pinneys
It comes as Young’s Seafood last week confirmed plans to close its Pinneys site in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, with the loss of 450 jobs after it exited deli and meals production.
“Following a review of our UK operations, the company proposed to move the remaining natural salmon production undertaken at the Pinneys site to Young’s existing natural salmon facility at our Humberstone Road site in Grimsby,” Young’s said.
“Unfortunately, having explored this in detail for some time and despite the consultation process, we have not been able to agree any viable alternatives to the closure of the Pinneys site. Accordingly, the company now intends to progress with its initial proposals.”
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