First Milk’s plan to close its Maelor cheese packing site near Wrexham, with the loss of up to 231 jobs, will damage the local economy, Unite the union has warned.
First Milk decided to close the cheese packing site after losing a key contract from Asda
The closure follows Asda’s decision to move its business to another company. The retailer accounts for 60% of the cheese packed at the site, leading First Milk to conclude that it was no longer viable.
Tony Brady, Unite regional officer, urged Asda to reconsider its decision. “The closure of the Maelor cheese packing site will starve the already depressed local economy of much needed jobs,” said Brady.
“We would urge Asda to think again about the social and economic consequences of its decision on Wrexham area and the betrayal of the people who have worked hard to make the site a success.”
Keeping the site open
Brady pledged the union will work with the company to explore ways of keeping the site open.
A First Milk spokesman said the cheese packing facility was scheduled to close at the end of May 2014.
“We very much regret the need to make the proposal to close our Maelor operation,” said the spokesman for the farmer-owned co-operative. “We have a hard-working, loyal and committed workforce there and we are aware of the impact that this news will have on them. We will of course seek to provide those potentially affected with every support and address ways in which the impact of the proposals can be reduced.”
Meanwhile, it would remain business as usual at the firm’s creameries in Wales, England and Scotland, he added.
