Further talks held over Del Monte's York future (From York Press)

Further talks held over Del Monte's York future

5:50pm Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Business news By Julie Hayes, Business editor

TALKS about the future of Del Monte’s York factory were held again today between senior management and staff.

Sam Vickers, organising regional secretary for the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union, which represents about 11 employees at the factory, said management were unable to provide any further update on whether the factory, which employs about 140 people, would close. Staff have previously been told the factory, which makes salads and coleslaw for retailers, could close on April 23 after the business lost a major contract.

Mr Vickers said the management continues to negotiate with Asda on new bsuiness and he expected more to be revealed at a meeting on March 6.

He said: “Trying to get business takes longer than two to three weeks so they couldn’t answer the same questions people were asking last week about what business they are getting.

“I don’t think it’s going to stay open. It’s too much to recover.”

He said he had suggested the firm start talking about redundancy packages to give the employees more certainty as to what they can expect.

“If it then isn’t needed that’s fantastic, but there’s nothing stopping anybody talking about it. At least then people would know what they would be getting,” he said.

The Press was unable to contact Del Monte, but has previously been told the company would not comment on the situation. Staff have been banned from speaking to the media.