EVERY reader who signs our petition - and there are already more than 2,000 of you - is helping to hold a corporate giant to account.

Kraft Foods Inc employs more than 100,000 people world-world. Its profits are staggering. Faced with such vast scale, York people could have been forgiven for feeling powerless to do anything about the planned shutdown of Terry's.

Together we are proving otherwise.

The Evening Press petition is making waves in Kraft's Illinois headquarters. "We are not ignoring the issue and we are taking it very seriously," says corporate affairs vice-president Richard Johnson.

We are not under any illusions. Kraft's decision to close Terry's will not be easily overturned. Mr Johnson's comments today offer little indication that it was under review.

But our campaign is an essential reminder to absentee bosses that their "global strategy" has very human implications. It shows that they cannot simply rub out a dot on their corporate map without being made aware of the consequences.

Mr Johnson makes it clear that the closure plan is based on cold, hard cash. They are happy to trade on the Terry's of York name while jettisoning the proud tradition and skilled workforce which built that reputation.

It is all about the bottom line. But Kraft's balance sheet will not show the devastating impact on the Terry's workers, and on the hundreds of others in this city whose livelihoods depend indirectly on the factory.

Our campaign appears to be pricking corporate consciences. This is the time to step up the pressure.

If you haven't signed yet, please do so: as the Donnelley turnaround showed, staying in this area can be a viable alternative.

Updated: 10:09 Thursday, May 06, 2004