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Burberry campaign goes to Commons | Burberry campaign goes to Commons |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Workers fighting to keep Burberry's south Wales factory open have taken their campaign to the House of Commons. | |
Before meeting MPs, the workers ceremonially cut a Burberry tie with a pair of scissors to claim how the brand is "cutting ties" with its UK roots. | |
The clothing firm is proposing to shut its Rhondda site in March, with 300 job losses, and take production abroad. | The clothing firm is proposing to shut its Rhondda site in March, with 300 job losses, and take production abroad. |
Burberry has said it does not intend to abandon the UK, and has offered staff work at its site in Yorkshire. | Burberry has said it does not intend to abandon the UK, and has offered staff work at its site in Yorkshire. |
The firm, which is marking its 150th anniversary this year, has reported an 11% rise in half-year sales with pre-tax profits of more than £70m. | The firm, which is marking its 150th anniversary this year, has reported an 11% rise in half-year sales with pre-tax profits of more than £70m. |
The workers' tie-cutting protest outside the House of Commons was followed by a meeting with MPs. | |
GMB union organiser Mervyn Burnett said the tie-cutting illustrated "Burberry's plans to cut its ties with Britain". | |
Celebrities | Celebrities |
He said: "Burberry is as British as the changing of the guard. It was founded in 1856 and its merchandise has been manufactured in the UK since then. | He said: "Burberry is as British as the changing of the guard. It was founded in 1856 and its merchandise has been manufactured in the UK since then. |
Opera star Terfel has called for Burberry to 'see sense' | Opera star Terfel has called for Burberry to 'see sense' |
"People buying the high quality goods produced in Treorchy expect that they will continue to be made by skilled workers in the UK." | "People buying the high quality goods produced in Treorchy expect that they will continue to be made by skilled workers in the UK." |
Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has told Burberry's senior management that many workers would not accept an offer of alternative work in Yorkshire. | Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has told Burberry's senior management that many workers would not accept an offer of alternative work in Yorkshire. |
Opera star Bryn Terfel is the latest celebrity to add his voice to calls for Burberry to keep its Rhondda factory open. | Opera star Bryn Terfel is the latest celebrity to add his voice to calls for Burberry to keep its Rhondda factory open. |
Hollywood actors Ioan Gruffudd, one of the faces of Burberry, and Rhys Ifans are also supporting the campaign to stop the factory from being closed. | Hollywood actors Ioan Gruffudd, one of the faces of Burberry, and Rhys Ifans are also supporting the campaign to stop the factory from being closed. |
Burberry has said the factory is not "commercially viable". | Burberry has said the factory is not "commercially viable". |
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