Protest over Cadbury deal

Workers from Cadbury will stage a protest today as part of a campaign to safeguard jobs in the wake of the planned takeover of the chocolate-maker by United States giant Kraft.

By The Newsroom

Published 27th Jan 2010, 10:03 BST

Updated 27th Jan 2010, 10:03 BST

Unite said members of the public would join the demonstration in Birmingham in an attempt to stop Kraft changing the 200-year-old company "beyond recognition" after the takeover is completed next week.

The union said Kraft must give assurances that the interests of the workforce will not be swept aside and that the quality of products will be safeguarded.

Cadbury workers will protest close to the Cadbury factory in Bournville and will hold up placards which say "don't sell us out".

Unite national officer Jennie Formby said: "Cheese and chocolate must not be a recipe for disaster for Cadbury"

Cadbury has 5,600 staff at eight manufacturing sites in the UK and Ireland, including 800 at its Bassett's Liquorice Allsorts plant in Sheffield.