Bid to save Fox's biscuit factory

Leeds, UK - Workers from the Fox's factory  at Uttoxeter are to present the company's management with a petition containing over 6,000 signatures in a bid to save 800 local jobs. Last July, parent company Northern Foods announced that its biscuits business had identified an opportunity to cut operating costs by moving from its current three manufacturing sites to two world class facilities. 

As well as Uttoxeter, the company also makes our biscuits at sites in Batley and Kirkham - the three plants employing over 3,000 people in all. The board said it was considering options for either the expansion of an existing site or the development of a new facility, with the investment planned to be completed in 2011.

Unite members will present the petition to Stefan Bardon, chief executive and Graham Hunter, a member of the Northern Food¹s management team, along with the giant postcard and sacks full of postcards sent to the company by customers supporting the workers.

Unite convener, Claire Boot, said: "We have had overwhelming support from the local community who are as passionate about the factory staying in Uttoxeter as the workforce. The deluge of signatures and postcards we have had in just a few short weeks is a vindication of this. At Uttoxeter the workforce is committed. This fight to save their factory shows what we all know, that they are dedicated and can take on challenges and succeed."