Union voices fears for Cadbury jobs in Kraft takeover

With Cadbury shareholders due to vote today on a revised offer from Kraft which is likely to herald the end of nearly 200 years of independence for the British firm, unions said the US company remained silent on the workforce's future.

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.

Unite said yesterday there was still no information on the consequences of the deal for the workforces of either company, and called on Kraft to make its intentions clear.

Jennie Formby, the union's national officer, said: "Our workers at Cadbury are extremely worried that what was a bright future for them will be dimmer under Kraft, and our UK Kraft members are also anxious to learn what their future holds. The workforces have been kept in the dark too long."

Unite, and unions representing Kraft workers in the US and Europe, claimed that the conglomerate's silence was spreading insecurity among workers. The unions wrote to Kraft's chief executive Irene Rosenfeld urging the firm to allay concerns that the takeover will be paid for in workers' jobs.

"Specific questions have been put to Ms Rosenfeld by our European colleagues," Ms Formby said. "Will the take-over lead to the closure of existing plants? Will there be lay-offs? These questions need urgent answers.

"With the purchase of Cadbury sure to be completed in the next 24 hours, Kraft can no longer hide behind the secrecy of UK takeover rules. They must come clean on their plans because workers are being left to dread the worst."

Kraft has previously said it had "great respect for Cadbury's brands, heritage and people," but has also highlighted "meaningful cost savings".

Ms Formby said: "There are only so many savings Kraft can make through synergies in functions like administration. When it is hungry for savings and has the stock market baying for good returns, where will Kraft turn next?

"Our worry is it will be the workforce who pays the price and until Kraft tells us otherwise by making its plans clear, we have to presume we are now in a fight to protect jobs and investment."

Cadbury workers plan to lobby the Government today for support to win jobs and investment guarantees from their new employer.