Consumer goods giant Unilever is proposing to cut some 50 roles from its historic facility in Port Sunlight, Wirral.
The multinational corporation makes products under brands including Dove and Domestos. The firm's traditional base remains in Wirral, where its Port Sunlight facility employs thousands and remains its primary research laboratory.
Employees in the plant's liquid operations have been informed by management that 50 positions across various departments are anticipated to be cut during the coming 12 months, reports .
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Acknowledging the proposals to the Liverpool Echo, a Unilever representative stated: "We have recently communicated proposals to employees in our liquid operations at our Port Sunlight factory site, which aim to maximise efficiencies and ensure our operations remain sustainably competitive into the future.
"We anticipate that these proposals may result in a reduction of around 50 roles across the impacted teams over the next 12 months. We recognise that this creates a period of uncertainty for those involved and we are fully committed to handling the changes with support and sensitivity.
"The proposals are now subject to a thorough consultation process with our employees and their representatives."
The statement added: "We will aim to avoid compulsory redundancies, wherever possible, and will explore all available options, including redeployment opportunities, such as in the new automated Distribution Centre on our factory site, which is creating around 30 new job opportunities.
"We will also look at other opportunities across site and possibilities for voluntary redundancies, where appropriate."
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Unilever employees told the ECHO that the announcement was a "bitter pill to swallow in the run up to Christmas," noting it followed several rounds of job losses in recent years.
One member of staff remarked: "It feels like it is just cut costs and loyal employees at the ground level are the ones to suffer."