More than 600 jobs at risk at Tulip pork factory
Workers today spoke of their shock as pork processing firm Tulip Ltd revealed its plans today.
More than 640 jobs are hanging in the balance as a meat processing factory faces an uncertain future.
Tulip Ltd has opened a consultation over the future of its pork manufacturing site in George Henry Road, Great Bridge, near Tipton, placing 642 jobs at risk of redundancy.
The site requires “significant investment and redevelopment”, Tulip said.
A Tulip spokesman said: “Tulip Ltd has announced it will be entering into collective consultation with employee representatives over the future of its fresh pork manufacturing site in Tipton.
“As part of its on-going operational footprint optimisation review and business recovery plan, the business has proposed to transfer operations from the West Midlands site to alternative sites within its UK network.
"This will place 642 roles at Tipton at risk of redundancy.
“[It] has a long history and is well established in the local area with many long-serving employees, however, the site itself requires significant investment and redevelopment to cater for future requirements, while its location places severe restrictions on any further development.
“The business is keen to retain the experience and skills of the Tipton team where possible.
“Transfer opportunities to alternative Tulip sites will be explored thoroughly if the closure is confirmed and employees will be presented with a number of options as part of the consultation process.”
One worker who had been employed at the site for 10 years and did not wish to be named, said the consultation was 45 days long.
Another, who had been at the site for 31 years, said he was “gutted”.
The employee, from Great Bridge, said: “I’m gutted, I’ll have to look for something else now.”
Chris Bateman, a butcher for five years at the site, said he asked a manager about a rumour it was closing recently and was laughed at.
The 36-year-old said: “It sounded definite, I can’t see anything changing. They’ve had us finishing early for six or seven months and forced us to take unpaid holidays. We’ve been asking what’s happening continuously. There was a rumour it was closing down about four weeks ago, I asked the manager and he laughed at me.
“I’ve got two kids and a massive mortgage, there will be hundreds of people looking for jobs at the same time now. I’m angry, gutted at how we’ve been treated by them.” A worker, who did not wish to be named, said: “They have slowly been running the factory down and not telling employees what’s going on, while sending our work to other sites.”
A 47-year-old worker from Wednesbury added: “They’re going to give us updates every day.
“The work has been down for a while but it was still a surprise. There’s some who have been here for 40 years.”
Urgent talks are being sought by Unite the union which has more than 200 members at the site, and said the news is “devastating” for the workforce.
Unite regional officer Rick Coyle said: “This is devastating for our members. We will be considering the serious implications of the announcement very closely.
“I will be seeking urgent talks with the management to see what can be done to save this site and also what redeployment opportunities there may be. I will be meeting our shop stewards for detailed discussions on Friday (6 March).”
“Unite’s top priority will be the welfare of our members and their families at this difficult time – we will be giving them maximum support in the days and weeks ahead.”
