Daniel Adams - Usdaw National Officer says: “Following an extraordinary Joint National Committee with Müller Milk and Ingredients, the company has confirmed that it is their intention to review its dairy network in the UK, which they believe may necessitate the closure of one of their six dairies. The company has confirmed to Usdaw that, based on current trends, the site most likely at risk is Foston.

“While Usdaw recognises the ongoing challenges within the dairy sector, this news is a devastating blow for a loyal and hardworking workforce. Even more galling is that the trade unions, earlier this year, had to take the extremely difficult decision to pause the pay negotiations in an attempt to protect jobs.

“Usdaw will now enter into collective consultation at a national level to interrogate the company’s business case, exploring all alternatives to closure and doing everything we can to mitigate the potential impact that the company’s proposal could have on staff at the site.  Given the urgency of the situation, a first meeting as been arranged for early next week.

“In the meantime, Usdaw reps and officials are providing support and advice to our members during this incredibly unsettling time.”

Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 420,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
Müller sites in the review: Foston in South Derbyshire, Severnside in Gloucestershire, Bellshill in Scotland, Manchester, Droitwich in the West Midlands and Bridgwater in Somerset.
  
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion