Union criticises packaging firm's job cuts plan

DS Smith confirmed the proposed closure of five of its UK packaging sites last month, including the box plant at Clay Cross

A union has criticised a packaging company, claiming it has "refused to engage" with alternatives to plans which risk about 150 jobs in Clay Cross .

Following a buy out earlier this year, DS Smith confirmed the proposed closure of five of its UK sites last month, including its box plant in Derbyshire.

The GMB Union said both itself and North East Derbyshire MP Louise Jones had urged the firm to consider other ideas but with no result.

A spokesperson for DS Smith said the company had "engaged fully" with employees, union representatives and the local MP in a consultation process that had been ongoing for seven weeks.

Colin Whyatt, from GMB, said the proposed closure of the site was a "devastating blow" for Clay Cross and north Derbyshire.

A major supplier

"Company bosses have refused to engage with any alternative to closure, despite the Clay Cross site being at the heart of this successful business.

"Our members and reps have time and time again presented working alternatives to closure, but top brass seem set on closing the doors.

"DS Smith is a major supplier to retail and industry, to treat workers in this way is shameful," Mr Whyatt added.

In an open letter to the company, Jones backed plans to call for voluntary redundancies and consider the sale of the site as a going concern.

She said: "Closing Clay Cross seems to me short-sighted and risks losing the opportunity to scale up production in future at a site with a strong track record, an outstanding workforce and that is positioned in the centre of the country, close to excellent transport links."

A spokesperson for DS Smith said the consultation process had included detailed consideration of and discussion on the feasibility of several counterproposals.

"Consultation is ongoing and we are unable to comment further until the process has reached its conclusion and the proposals finalised," the spokesperson added.