NESTLE is planning to cut almost 300 jobs and move production of the Blue Riband chocolate biscuit to Poland.
The job losses will mainly affect the company’s sites in York and Newcastle as well as a small number of cuts in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and Girvan, Ayrshire.
The GMB and Unite unions both criticised the news, with the GMB saying Nestle should “be exporting chocolate and not jobs”.
The company is proposing 143 job cuts in York, 110 at Fawdon, 15 in Halifax and seven in Girvan.
GMB general secretary Tim Roache said: “To shift the production of an iconic British brand like Blue Riband to Poland is completely unacceptable.
“Nestle are throwing people’s lives, and those of their families, into turmoil for the sake of increasing profit margins.
“These factories should be exporting chocolate – not people’s jobs.
“The Government needs to step in before it’s too late and reassure millions of workers across the country this is not just the tip of the Brexit iceberg.”
Nestle confirmed in a statement that the proposals affect four different sites and a total of 298 roles.
It said: “These proposals are being made by Nestle UK to ensure that these sites operate more efficiently and remain competitive in a rapidly changing external environment.
“A 45 day consultation on these proposals will commence as soon as possible with trade unions and employee representatives.
“Nestle UK appreciates that this is an uncertain time for employees and will work hard to ensure all are supported through this difficult period.”
