"THE threatened closure of the Oscar Mayer ready-meals plant in Chard should concern everyone in Chard, in South Somerset and in the wider area," a union for staff on site has said.

Food giant Oscar Mayer announced last month that it was entering into consultation with employees over plans which could see the Chard site shut and all 860 workers at risk of redundancy.

The consultation period will started today (November 10), and will run for a minimum of 45 days consultation, after which a final decision on the future of Oscar Mayer in Chard will be made.

Yeovil & District Trade Union Council held an online discussion on the subject on November 5.

It was attended by Rowena Hayward of the GMB union, which has members employed at the site, and a staff representative.

Ken Keable, a spokesman for Yeovil & District Trade Union Council, said: "All delegates expressed their concern, noting that the closure, if it goes ahead, would be very damaging to the local economy due to the loss of purchasing power by people becoming unemployed and by the loss of business by companies supplying the plant with a wide variety of goods and services."

Oscar Mayer's shock announcement followed the recent closure of the evening shift, which saw around 100 jobs lost.

Mr Keable added: "We were especially concerned at the fears of foreign workers with non-settled status who may fear for their future.

"The loss of 860 jobs in a small town like Chard, with a population of about 12,000, would be devastating.

"Some workers travel considerable distances to get to work, so once again the effects would be widespread.

"This is also another nail in the coffin for manufacturing in the UK and comes as very sad news."

The closure of the evening shift was said to be a bid to improve efficiency in light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on demand.

A spokesman for Oscar Mayer added: "The adverse trends in this demand are not showing signs of recovery, and more significant action is now required to protect the long-term future of the group. Oscar Mayer is far from alone in having to meet these challenges.

"The sites are in need of refurbishment to future-proof their operation, yet such investment is considered to be neither practically nor financially viable given the existing configuration of the units.

"In an attempt to save local jobs, management has been looking at developing alternative sites in the area – such as at Millfield – but, in the end, this was not deemed feasible for their future needs."

The Yeovil & District Trade Union Council spokesman said: "Although there has been a reduction in demand due to the pandemic, it seems that the key issue is the alleged unsuitability of the site for the refurbishment of the plant. Is there no other suitable land in the locality? Can’t the District Council or County Council assist in this?

"The GMB are liaising with Somerset County Council and local councillors and MPs to see whether there is anything that can be done to change the outcome.

"We believe that this should not just be a business decision, to be taken by the German-owned private equity group that bought the company in 2017. The human cost and the social impact on the community must also be considered.

"It does feel as though a decision has already been made to close the factory. Hence it is a matter for local politicians too, and perhaps national government. The workers have done nothing to deserve this treatment.

"We express our solidarity with the workers at Oscar Mayer and their families and stand ready to help them in any way we can."