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THE Unite Union has criticised Young's Seafood for announcing 70 redundancies at the Cromer Crab Company factory in North Norfolk so soon before Christmas.
It branded the move as "disgraceful" and added in a statement that "Unite members have been infuriated by the redundancy notices, which have gone out weeks before the 90-day consultation period was due to conclude."
Young's said earlier this month that the decision was taken with deep regret, adding there was effectively no alternative option if the site was to remain viable.
Unite regional officer, Ivan Crane, said: “So soon before Christmas, these letters sent out to staff telling them that they will shortly be made redundant is nothing short of disgraceful. Our members are infuriated that even before the consultation period had finished, management has decided what will happen.
“The proposed closure of one of the towns’ biggest employers will have a profound effect on the local community, the surrounding district and has left this committed and loyal workforce feeling as though they are being abandoned.
“We continue to urge management to rethink the move as its success and growth has been built around a product that is part of the heritage of Cromer. We believe the company has an obligation to this town and that the Cromer Crab Company should remain in Cromer.”
Meanwhile,seafood workers in another part of the country say they face uncertainty. The Express and Star newspaper in Cumbria says that over 100 jobs at the former Cumbrian Seafoods factory in West Cumbria could be under threat after the company was taken over by Young's last month. The worry is that jobs may be moved to other Young's plants in the group.
Young's has said no decision has been made yet, adding that options for the future will be decided in the next few weeks. Cumbrian Seafoods also had a large and more modern plant in Seaham, County Durham.
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