Snacking giant pladis has reportedly announced proposals for around 160 job cuts at the McVitie's site in Manchester, which amounts to a one-third cut in staff.
Retail trade union Usdaw said it will now enter into consultation talks with the company.
Dave Gill, Usdaw national officer said: “This is devastating news for our members, many of whom have given long service to the company and all worked throughout the pandemic when food manufacturing was identified as an essential service.
“We will now enter into meaningful consultation talks with the company, where we will interrogate their business case for these proposed job losses. Our priorities are to keep as many staff employed within the business as possible and avoid compulsory redundancies.”
According to the reports, the company confirmed restructuring proposals at the plant off Wellington Road North that “could potentially result in the loss of 159 out of 470 roles”.
The company added that the Manchester factory will remain an important part of its UK business.
pladis has earlier decided to close its historic McVitie's factory in Glasgow, with the loss of more than 450 jobs.
