New shift at Llangefni meat plant set to create up to 300 jobs

Three Vion poultry and meat processing plants were taken over in Wales

Three hundred new jobs are to be created by the new owners of a meat plant on Anglesey.

2 Sisters Poultry Ltd said the jobs on a new shift at the Llangefni plant are the first stage in a turnaround plan for the loss-making business.

A spokesperson added the firm "remains cautious" for the future.

Nearly 3,000 jobs were safeguarded following the buyout of three Vion plants by the 2 Sisters Group in March.

The sale did not include all Vion plants, and in April around 300 workers lost their jobs when a Vion plant at Gaerwen on Anglesey closed.

In a statement 2 Sisters Poultry Ltd at Llangefni said: "The company met with the Unite union recently.

"Unfortunately, the company and the union were not able to reach agreement with regard to proposed changes to shift patterns and pay structure.

"In order to meet customer requirements and protect the site's long term future the company has decided to introduce a permanent back shift to run in conjunction with current shift patterns.

"This will secure more than 300 additional jobs at the site."

It added that the new jobs were "good news".

But the spokesperson said it is a "first stage in a turnaround plan for the Vion businesses which remain loss making, and consequently we remain cautious for the future".