Tulip employees left disgusted after premature closure of Bromborough meat-processing factory

Apr 29 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Bromborough and Bebington News

EMPLOYEES at Tulip’s meat-processing factory said they are disgusted by the way they have been treated.

The factory in Bromborough was closed abruptly last week, more than two weeks ahead of schedule.

More than 300 workers were told they could go home half way through their shift.

Staff had been told in January that the factory could close later this year and the closure was confirmed in March, despite union attempts to save the factory.

The site was due to close on May 8, but just a dozen staff will now oversee the decommissioning of the factory.

A Tulip employee who wishes to remain anonymous said: “People were in tears as it was such a shock.

“We were in the middle of production when we were called into the canteen and told we could go home, just like that.

“The people on the later shift heard the announcement on the radio before they’d even come into work – it was just unbelievable.

“We didn’t even get a chance to say a proper goodbye or organise a proper leaving party.”

A spokesperson for Tulip said: “The transfer of production to our other sites went a lot more smoothly than anticipated so we decided to bring the closure forward.”

He said workers would now have more time to find new employment as they would not have to work their full notice period and workers would still receive their full severance package.

He added: “No-one will suffer financially.”

Franny Joyce of union, Unite, said he had expected the factory to close before May 8, but was still surprised.

He said: “It’s down to the professional way the workforce have conducted themselves that they’re able to close early. They’ve just carried on doing their jobs as normal.”

As well as the 303 people who will lose their jobs at the factory, Mr Joyce estimated that at least another 150 people will be affected including cleaners, suppliers, contractors and delivery men.

He added: “It’s a massive employer and there will be an impact on the local community.”