Moy Park’s Derbyshire plant in Ashbourne is to reduce its workforce from around 860 to 175 rather than closing the site altogether, which was first proposed back in September.
The GMB Union welcomed the news saying the move comes after weeks of negotiations and campaigning requesting the manufacturer to re-consider closing the facility near Ashbourne, with the potential loss of hundreds of local jobs.
Instead, the company will now undertake a huge investment project, which will see the creation of 175 permanent jobs at the site.
Mick Coppin, GMB organiser, said: “GMB has been negotiating and campaigning to save jobs at Moy Park for months. To see management sit up and listen to our members demands is fantastic.
“These workers are absolutely essential in producing and supplying our favourite chicken products across the country, in the home and in well love restaurant chains including Nando’s and McDonalds.
“Potential job losses on the scale feared would have been catastrophic for the local community, and GMB union members should be proud that they have delivered this win.
“This weekend I’ll be raising a toast with my Sunday Dinner to those GMB Union members at Moy Park in Derbyshire who brought the country back from the brink of a devastating chicken shortage.”
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
