Biscuit factory staff must wait for decision on their future

A DECISION on the future of more than 900 Wirral jobs has been delayed until February.

A meeting was due to be held on Monday after which an announcement would be made on the future of the Horizon Biscuits plant in Moreton.

There are 940 workers at the plant waiting for a decision as to whether it will be closed down following a merger between Horizon and Burton's Biscuits.

Transport and General Workers Union officials believed a decision was due on Monday but the meeting was postponed. An announcement is now expected to be made on February 2.

Wallasey MP Angela Eagle met with Horizon chiefs on Friday to discuss the possible redundancies. She spoke to Adrian Sharpe, head of the newly merged biscuit company, after talking to the Globe.

After the meeting Ms Eagle said: "I have had positive and constructive discussions with Mr Sharpe about the future of the biscuit group following the recent merger between Horizon and Burtons. We have agreed to stay closely in touch as the review of operations goes ahead."

Mr Sharpe was unavailable for comment at time of going to press.

qUNION officials and Wirral MPs have expressed concern over plans by civil engineering company Smit Land & Marine to cut 45 jobs.

The company says that, as a result of a restructuring programme, the jobs will be lost at its two sites in Bromborough in February.

Wirral South MP Ben Chapman said: "These redundancies are particularly painful for the people and families concerned, but the company was facing reduced activity and needed to cut costs to remain competitive. I shall be meeting the management to discuss the future of the company and its employees," he told the Globe.

Ted Gilbertson, from the Amalgamated Electrical Engineers' Union, said the news painted a negative picture of Wirral's future: "Throughout 2000, a whole number of companies announced redundancies - Champion Spark Plugs, Cammell Laird and now we have problems at Vauxhalls.

"This announcement, coming on top of the recent redundancies, must be leaving everyone feeling insecure and thinking 'Is my company next?' Land & Marine have always offered steady employment to its employees, and we look to see that there are no more redundancies."