Biscuit workers fight for support

United Biscuits make McVitie's Digestives

Workers at a biscuit factory in Liverpool are marching through the city centre to gather support as they fight to save their jobs.

Employees at United Biscuits on Binns Road could lose their jobs if the company moves 170 posts to India.

Backed by the union Unite, they are collecting signatures from the public to support their plight.

United Biscuits is owned by private equity firms, Blackstone and PIA. No one was available to comment.

Karen Viquerat, Unite officer, said the support they had received so far had been "marvellous".

The protesting workers are wearing T-shirts with "Stop Our Jobs Going Abroad" emblazoned on the front.

We must fight to keep people working in this city Debbie Brannan, Unite regional officer

Debbie Brannan, Unite regional officer, said: "It is the hard-working staff who have made this company profitable and they deserve to be treated a lot better than this.

"We must make sure that this is not allowed to happen or we will continue to face more job losses and what jobs will there be in Merseyside for our children?

"We must fight to keep people working in this city.

"The workers that face job losses have families and mortgages to pay and do not need added stress during this difficult time.

"It is time they listened to their loyal workforce and don't let 170 job cuts go ahead."

United Biscuits make products including McVitie's, Jacob's Cream Crackers, Twiglets and Jaffa Cakes.