MEP fights to save seafood jobs (Bishop Auckland Liberal Democrats)

Bishop Auckland Liberal Democrats <mark@bishoplibdems.org.uk>

MEP fights to save seafood jobs

January 10, 2012 5:05 PM
Originally published by Fiona Hall MEP

North East MEP Fiona Hall has called on the new owners of a seafood factory in Seaham to give the 360-strong staff a fair chance to save their jobs.

When Cumbrian Seafoods went into administration last month it was immediately bought by Young's. Initial optimism over the takeover has been dampened by the new owner's decision to conduct a 90 day consultation on the factory's closure.

Fiona today spoke to Pete Ward, the boss of Young's, and impressed on him the importance of keeping the Seaham plant open.

Speaking afterwards, Lib Dem Fiona said:

"With 360 jobs at stake, it is vital that we do everything possible to keep the factory open. Responsibility for the collapse of Cumbrian Seafoods seems to lie with the previous owners. It would be grossly unfair if the shop floor workers paid the price for that.

"I made the case to Young's that they should give Seaham the opportunity to prove its worth.

"The plant has received considerable investment in recent times, including public money, and I would like to see moves to get it running at full capacity rather than shut it down.

"I have been assured that no decisions have yet been made and that workers will be given a fair chance to save their jobs. I will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that happens and have been promised a further update before any action is taken."