York sweet firm cuts jobs

Over 200 jobs are going at the Nestle Rowntree factory

Workers at one of York's biggest employers have had to swallow a bitter pill after sweet manufacturer Nestle Rowntree announced more than 200 job losses.

The Wigginton Road-based firm, which produces household-name confectionary products including KitKat chocolate biscuits, said the job cuts are necessary.

The company says a review of manufacturing and production costs have prompted the move in an effort to "remain competitive."

The job cuts will be implemented through staff transfers and voluntary redundancies.

The review, which has been carried out at the factory since March 2003, has resulted in a number of departments at the factory being centralised.

In a statement Nestle Rowntree said: "We are fully committed to helping our employees through this difficult time.

Consultation

"We will now be entering into a period of consultation across the business to ensure that we communicate these changes with our employees and offer support."

And added: "Our aim is to take advantage of internal transfer to other departments and voluntary redundancies wherever possible."

John Kirk of the GMB union which represents some workers at the factory said: "220 jobs is a significant number, even for an employer like Nestle in York."

"What we need to do is ensure the people have support over the next 18 months."