Clock ticks for task force at meat factory

Published on 22/08/2012 12:00

THE task force trying to save the Hall’s of Broxburn meat processing plant from closure was holding its latest meeting today as the deadline for a solution loomed closer.

Dutch owner Vion announced in July it was launching a 90-day consultation process on plans to shut the factory with the loss of all 1700 jobs. It said the plant was losing £79,000 per day.

The Evening News revealed last week that two potential buyers were said to have expressed an interest in the plant, but no more has come of those moves.

Bridget Norwood, branch secretary of the USDAW union at the site, said: “Everybody’s really worried about their jobs.

“We are halfway through the consultation now and we’re not really any further forward.”

She said staff hoped reports due to be presented at today’s meeting help explain why the plant was losing so much money and what prospects there are of addressing the problems to keep it open.

She said: “If Vion decided to keep us, we would be happy with that. Or if a potential buyer came in to save us, that would be great.”