The GMB union has expressed fears over plans to close Pilgrim’s in Dean Way, Southall, where a large number of staff are employed.
With the plans now announced, Pilgrim’s will begin a 45-day legal consultation with staff, with GMB saying it will “fight tooth and nail to make sure staff receive every penny they are owed. “
The move comes shortly after the closure of a separate site at Southall on Colette Way in 2022, putting 220 jobs at risk. The Colette Way site is a component of Pilgrim’s Noon’s business, like the Dean Way factory.
Meanwhile, up to 1,000 Pilgrim employees faced the arrival of a layoff-and-re-employment policy at one of the company’s other factories in London in March 2023. However, this proposal was abandoned due to pressure from GMB.
The maker of refrigerated and frozen food stores such as Morrisons, Aldi and Waitrose and is owned by Brazilian meat processing giant JBS.
Commenting on the potential redundancies, Gavin Davies, GMB’s lead organiser, said: “GMB is seriously concerned about the effect this will have on our members and the local network with job losses.
“With the past closure of Colette Way, a new closure of Dean Way is a major blow to our members.
“GMB will fight tooth and nail to make sure staff get every penny they are owed. “
Pilgrim’s operates another in Southall on Windmill Lane, plus a nearby factory in Spurway and several others across the UK.
Separately, gluten-free manufacturer Genius Foods reported its effects for the year ended December 31, 2022, with the bakery recording a loss of £2. 4 million on subsequent operations.