Kraft accused of 'indecent haste' on Cadbury job cuts

Union leaders attacked US food giant Kraft today after being told that the firm was seeking to make its first job cuts only weeks after completing its controversial purchase of Cadbury.

Up to 150 jobs are threatened at Cadbury's offices in Uxbridge, west London, and Bournville in Birmingham.

Jennie Formby, national office of Unite, said: "Kraft is moving with indecent haste to cut jobs. Despite stating that the company would take 45 days to gain a clearer idea of their management and staff structures for the combined business, they have swung the axe before that deadline has been passed.

"This is yet another broken promise from Kraft. It is causing tremendous anxiety among the 6,000-plus workforce at Cadbury, as well as for their colleagues at Kraft's UK plant. No worker now feels safe.

"Given Kraft's huge debt and the savings they promised to make on purchase of Cadbury, our real fear is that more job cuts are to come.

"Until they come clean on their plans - which they kept under wraps from even the UK Government during the takeover process - we do not know what Kraft plans for its UK business."

Kraft came under fire last month when it changed its mind over keeping open a Cadbury factory near Bath, which is now set to close with the loss of hundreds of jobs.

The Business Select Committee will question Kraft executives later this month on the company's future plans.