400 Jobs At Risk At Mushroom Farm
Wednesday 1st February 2012
400 JOBS UNDER THREAT AS NEW OWNERS OF
SUSSEX MUSHROOM FARM ISSUE RISK OF REDUNDANCY NOTICES TO
STAFF
All staff at Thakeham Mushroom farm
(formerly Sussex Mushrooms) received notice on Friday
28th January 2012 that their jobs are at risk of
redundancy
400 jobs are under threat as the new owners of
Thakeham mushroom farm in Sussex have sent risk of redundancy
notices to all staff. The staff are employed at the farm which is
based at Storrington Road, Thakeham, West Sussex RH20 3DY.
The farm was acquired last year by Monaghan
Mushrooms from Sussex Mushrooms and the takeover had to be cleared
by OFT. This farm is one of at least eight such farms owed by them
in the UK.
The redundancy notices were issued to all the
Thakeham mushroom farm staff on Friday 28th January 2012
warning them that their jobs are at risk of redundancy.
GMB officers met with members who work at the
farm on Friday 27th January 2012 and they were given
copies of the at risk notification.
A planning consent for 146 dwellings on the
site for the former owners is under review following the takeover
by Horsham District Council.
Charles Harrity, GMB regional organizer, said
“The decision to issue at risk notice of redundancy looks
like the worst kind of short term business planning. This is
especially true when one considers that at the time of the very
recent takeover there was a business plan in place which included a
redevelopment of part of the site. According to an impact
assessment report would lead to an increase in both jobs and
production at this site and for the local area from 2015
onwards.
So the decision to put all these jobs
at Thakeham Mushrooms at risk is a despicable act. The question has
to be raised has this site been acquired for its development
potential rather than sustain jobs. I sincerely hope these jobs can
be secured.
In little over four weeks since the
OFT sanctioned the take over by parent company Monaghan Mushrooms,
the new owners have completely changed their position. Far from
growing the company and securing 400 jobs, it now seems that the
whole business is in danger. I have already written to the company
challenging their at risk notice”
Ends
Contact: Charles Harrity mobile 07977 518042
or 01273 570126 or email charles.harrity@gmb.org.uk
GMB Press Office 07921 289880