Morrisons to close Bradford manufacturing site, 450 jobs at risk
According to a trade union, the retailer has already set out a timetable for a phased closure to be completed by the end of October this year
Retail trade union USDAW has been briefed by Morrisons about its intention to close the Bradford manufacturing site at Cutler Heights in Bradford, which will put over 450 jobs at risk.
This comes as Morrisons is proposing that the work carried out at Cutler Heights will be moved to their Thrapston site in North Northamptonshire, as well as its site at junction 41 of the M1 near Wakefield.
It is also the latest move by the supermarket chain to cut operational costs as part of its £700m three-year savings programme.
According to the trade union, the retailer has already set out a timetable for a phased closure to be completed by the end of October this year.
However, Morrisons maintains that the news will not result in redundancies and staff pay and length of service will be “protected”.
A Morrisons spokesman said: “Morrisons currently operates two fruit packing sites at Thrapston, Northamptonshire, and Cutler Heights in Yorkshire. Recent investments in the Thrapston site has created more capacity and space, which has made consolidation of the two sites possible.
“After very careful review and evaluation, we propose to move ahead with a consolidation at Thrapston in the second half of 2023.”
Joanne McGuinness, national officer at USDAW, said: “Following a full review of their fruit packing manufacturing facilities, Morrisons has proposed the closure of their Cutler Heights site, with the work to be done from existing Wakefield and Northamptonshire facilities.
“This is obviously devastating news for the staff impacted by today’s company announcement. We will now enter into consultation talks with the company, starting this week, where we will interrogate the business case for their proposal.”
She added: “Our priorities are to keep as many staff employed by Morrisons as possible and to get the best deal for our members. In the meantime, we are providing USDAW members with the support, advice and representation they need at this difficult time.”
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers is the UK’s fifth biggest trade union with over 350,000 members. Most of its members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution and food manufacturing.
