E-Malt.com News article: UK: Lancashire brewery staff face wait over jobs future

Hundreds of workers at a Lancashire brewery could have to wait another two months before they discover their fate, Lancashire Evening Post published April 18.

Union bosses at InBev, which brews Stella Artois at its base on Cuerdale Lane, Samlesbury, are locked in talks with company bosses over plans to axe 166 jobs due to a plunge in global drinks sales.

GMB convenor Tom Fallows said it could take beyond the statutory 90-day consultation period, which is due to come to an end in late May to reach an agreement.

He said: "The 90-day period is the minimum time that the company has to talk with us, although there is no guarantee that we will find a solution in that time - in many cases it takes much longer.

"It would seem that Europe as far as the company is concerned is not performing as
well as it should.

"They are looking to bring it up to the same level as the rest of the world and the consequences of that to our members is they will suffer because the company wants to maximise its profits."

Last month, InBev said it remained committed to investing in the Tennent's Lager, Boddingtons and Castlemaine XXXX brands it brews at the factory, but said a slump in sales had led to the decision to shed jobs.


18 April, 2008