STAFF and union officials at Holland's Pies have called an urgent meeting after managers announced plans to contract cleaning work to a private company.

The move would affect 16 night shift staff who will be offered replacement posts at the Baxenden factory - or face redundancy.

The firm's bosses will talk with union leaders before a final decision is made.

Shopworkers' union USDAW has called a weekend meeting to discuss the next move.

Holland's managing director Graham March confirmed: "We have made proposals to the staff to contract out our night shift plant cleaning operation to a specialist business.

"It would affect about 16 night shift staff who would be offered alternative employment with us on other shifts."

Mr March said workers who were not able to, or would not, accept the transfer would be offered voluntary redundancy.

He added: "We have had discussions with the union and they will put our recommendations to the workforce.

"No final decision has yet been taken as we are awaiting the views of our employees.

"We have to make what seem to be difficult decisions to protect the greater workforce.

"There are specialist cleaning services around who can do the job more efficiently than we can.

"We already contract out our restaurant, because we are specialist pie makers, not specialist caterers."

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