Fox's Biscuits - March To Save Jobs In Uttoxeter.

Workers at Fox's Biscuits march through Uttoxeter as part of a campaign to help save 950 jobs.

Recently Northern Foods announced a £40 million restructuring plan which will see its Uttoxeter plant pitted against its sister site at Batley.

Either the Cheadle Road factory or the Batley site will be chosen for the cash injection in March with the loser being earmarked for closure.

This rally was planned as a way in which employees and their families could show what Fox's means to them.

"We will be going through the streets shouting slogans and waving placards," said Unite union convener Lorna Andrews, who helped to organise the march.

It is still early days but we are hoping to get as many workers involved as possible. After all, it is their jobs which are on the line.

"We kicked off the save Fox's campaign with a petition but that was only the start. We have a lot more irons in the fire."

A second rally will also take place in Rugeley where a significant percentage of the workforce come from on a later date.

It is also believed that East Staffordshire Borough Council, along with Northern Foods, is looking into ways that the Uttoxeter plant could be developed if the factory was chosen.
Members of the authority visited the site last week to discuss the plans.

At Batley there is no room to expand and any new factory would have to be built at a different location. Campaigners there are looking into possible sites.

Mrs Andrews, who has worked at Fox's for 18 years, said: "The strongest point in our favour is the potential to expand upwards and outwards on the existing Uttoxeter site.
"In Yorkshire they would have to look into developing green belt land. It does concern me that Batley is the spiritual home of Fox's but I don't think, given the current economic climate, that anyone can make decisions for sentimental reasons.
"I really believe Uttoxeter would make the best home for Fox's, but we can't afford to be complacent for the next seven months. We have to act now."

Uttoxeter mayor, Councillor Pauline Morrison said she would march with the campaigners saying I want to lend my support in anyway I can. "Everybody should get behind this campaign and prove to Northern Foods why Fox's should stay in our town.

"It's very pleasing to see that the workers aren't prepared to accept this without putting up the strongest possible fight."

Uttoxeter MP Janet Dean agreed to take part in the town centre rally and Chad Lakin also agreed to dress as Vinnie for the parade.

Andrew Griffiths, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Uttoxeter said: "We need to be as bold as we can to show Northern Foods why Uttoxeter should be chosen.

"This protest will be a very visible symbol of support for the workers and their families."

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• Fox's
• Biscuits
• Uttoxeter