German confectionery giant could shed a third of workforce at UK operation across Pontefract and Castleford sites
Confectionary giant Haribo could shed more than 200 jobs from its UK workforce under new plans.
The sweet manufacturer which was founded in 1920 and made its move to West Yorkshire almost fifty years ago.
Haribo announced the potential for 207 redundancies across its two UK sites - at Pontefract and Castleford - and is due to enter formal consultation with GMB Union.
The company currently employ almost 400 workers at their Pontefract site and more than 200 at the Castleford site, which is losing its production of the ‘Maoam’ brand to Germany.
Haribo has operated at the Pontefract site for nearly 50 years and are a major local employer.
GMB, the union for food and drink workers, will be entering into formal consultation with the company in the coming weeks - and fighting to save members’ jobs.
The union has been in talks with local MP Yvette Cooper in a bid to call on the Government to intervene in what has been a hammer blow for Haribo workers, who continued to work throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
GMB urges the company to work with them to come up with an alternative solution to the redundancies which will have a major impact on the local community and its economy.
Lynn Brook, GMB Organiser said:
"We're now awaiting further detail from the company on more than two hundred potential redundancies at Haribo's UK operation at the Pontefract and Castleford sites. It’s a bitter blow for these workers.
“Such a reduction would see a loss of almost a third of the workforce and would do immense untold damage to this area.
“Haribo are a major local employer and have been operating at the Pontefract site for half a century. The workers here have been working through the pandemic and this news comes as a hammer blow.
“GMB will be working tirelessly to support members affected by the proposals and fighting to save jobs wherever we can. Our union will be in there for the long-haul to defend our members' employment and explore all avenues to protect livelihoods.”
