Andover, North Shields

Twinings workers fight job losses

Workers at Twinings in Andover and North Shields took their campaign against 400 job cuts to the AGM of the parent company, Associated British Foods, in London on 4 December. They are angry that the highly profitable firm's plan to transfer production to Poland and China will hit the two towns hard.

"The workforce in Andover is determined to save these jobs and the fantastic support we are getting is a huge boost," said Andover Usdaw shop steward Pete Millward.

A support group established in the last week plans to petition locally and to hold a public meeting in the New Year. Left-wing Labour MP John McDonnell has raised the issue in Parliament after meeting with Sarah Evans, Labour candidate for North West Hampshire.

"If these job cuts go ahead it will be another body blow to Andover and will have a serious knock-on effect on the local economy, and the idea of the support group is to do all we can to get Twinings and ABF to change their minds," support group organiser Derek Kotz said.

Contact Derek Kotz on 07939 595 092 or email support@savetwiningsjobs.co.uk Facebook group: Save Twinings North Shields

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In The Socialist 9 December 2009:

Corus steel closure: 'Bail out our jobs, not greedy bankers'