The union reports it has been campaigning along with employees to save UK jobs since the announcement was made earlier in the week. The union and United Biscuits will today begin talks on a solution.
Unite regional officer Debbie Brannan said: "The mood of the workers is one of anger. People are frustrated and upset.
"They feel they have been kept in the dark all along over plans to move Liverpool jobs to India. We believe United Biscuits is not abiding by its legal obligations with a shortened consultation period of 30 days when these workers have every right to expect the full three months' consultation period. United Biscuits has had months to consider the jobs plan yet the company expects us to come back with alternative proposals to save these jobs in just 30 days. This is utterly unacceptable.
But a spokeswoman from United Biscuits told HR magazine: "United Biscuits is proposing a re-organisation of its finance function. The proposal includes outsourcing and off-shoring some elements of its finance operations and is designed to allow the business to compete effectively in a competitive marketplace and have greater capacity to adapt to changing trends and business requirements.
"As a result of this proposal, United Biscuits has begun a consultation with its staff to discuss the 79 roles affected. All available redeployment opportunities will be explored for employees who are affected.
"No decisions have been made, nor will any decisions be made until full consultation with the relevant stakeholders has been completed. During the consultation we will be inviting employees and the union for their ideas. If, after a full consultation, the proposal is agreed, we will do all we can to mitigate the impact for our employees. As a successful manufacturer operating in an intensely competitive marketplace, we need to continue to grow our brands to safeguard the jobs of our employees around the UK."
Unite's Brannan added: "The fight is not over yet. Our priority is to keep people in work and jobs for the future. Unite will do everything in its power, through the consultation period, to try to save these jobs and stop UK jobs being sent abroad. We just hope it will be a meaningful consultation and not consultation on how to move the jobs to India."
Unite takes on indecisive United Biscuits in battle to save UK jobs being offshored
United Biscuits announced no decision has been made on whether or not UK jobs will be sent abroad, despite claims from trade union Unite that the manufacturer had 'confirmed' earlier this week it would transfer 110 UK roles to India. At this stage, HR roles are unaffected.
