I cant believe it!.... they can't close Robertsons Jam....its like a national monument!... My Grandma worked there for years, (I used to get a knitted golly jumper every christmas and golly badges)We did guess the jam days on the way to school, because before they changed the chimney you could smell for miles what sort of jam they were making, strawberry wind was always the strongest! I was in the navy for 12 years and there was always Robertsons jam on the table at breakfast, so no matter whereever in the world I was there was always that bit of home... I am that shred head! The loss of Robertsons will have a massive effect on the Droylsden community and the surrounding area... how sad for the sake of greed. I don't think they realise what they are doing.

   ferney, manchester These national/international companys are not really interested in people (unlike the old robertsons company) this company was built on people not numbers,The way britain and its industry is going we are at the bottom of the pile?I will be very sad to see robertsons jam company demolishised and appartments built in its place(i know its not even been talked about?) but i would take a bet that the site will end up as appartments.In britain we led the world in industry and the people who worked at these factories enjoyed the family feel .but unfortunately we now do business a different way (numbers not people)..Best of luck with all your futures.

   i have had 7 interesting years with centura, before it became rhm. These years mostly happy, have brought me many opportunities within the company,from production operative, to tech op, to production data analyser, all of which have been enjoyable. the company policy was to always develop staff within, it was like a big working family. just look at the generations that have worked for this historic company, over 100yrs i believe. Premier foods then came in with no intention of rebuilding/developing rhm. from the start they wanted this site closed, we were briefed about the takeover several weeks before it became official, and we were all promised that droylsden had a very good chance of remaining ahead in the closures proposals, which originally we were told 3 sites would suffer, now it's 6, all of which are in the northwest areas. i think this briefing was used as a smoke screen to give everybody false hope, which in turn is a dangerous outlook FALSE HOPE. there are many people there with a lot more to lose than myself. fortunately i am still young enough to persue a different route, but many others are beyond this belief now. this was their lives, and now it has been taken in the most gutless, ruthless and disrespectul manner, and this is a polite description. however, i do believe with a little guidance and understanding that many of these people can/will go on to better things. lets see if there promise of helping people find other alternatives is carried through with the understanding and respect that my co workers deserve. this could then be passed as a slight consolation in helping these people rebuild there confidence and belief to enable them to live the rest of there lives as respected workers rather than just useless numbers.

   So erm the French and Germans are model countries for backbone and standing up for their rights, yet Europe is the evil empire? Hmmm...

Don't forget to raise it with the MEPs you said you work with on local community projects, ace!

   And where would our miners be without the unions??????EXACTLY. Unions feather their own nests under the guise of looking after the working man?Where are our farmers without the unions or our fishing industry who has a great union??.Lets face it unions are ok for the bosses. We lost the way years ago by allowing europe to dictate to us.And we dont have the backbone to fight back....unlike the french or germans .....

   And where would these workers be without any support, Ken? Joining the queue for Jobseekers allowance perhaps. My point is they may need support as these companies enter their final weeks, to prepare for their future.

   Eh now! There's been too many union bashers on these pages. Where would our working class forefathers be without unions? Where would Droylsden be without unions? Where would a decent chutney be without using unions? Exactly!

   Hey wheres all the jam gone? It was right here in this debate a minute ago.

   Aah, you were a manager of a plc -- now I understand your reactionary approach to unions and your dislike of supporting workers in general.

Did the plc analyse your management skills and decide to bypass the city as a result? Perhaps they declined your services on the grounds of your communication/man management skills? They do seem somewhat David Brent-esque...

   Mr M: I wasn't bleating about losing my job. It was 14 years ago. I was the manager of a branch, the plc sold out and the new owners didn't want an office in Manchester.

I got another job, lower down the strata and have done ok.

My point is that I can stand up for myself. I don't need a full time official to look after me.

   moodyblu, Heald Green WOULDNT IT BE JUST? ive tried all this lets stick toghether malarkey most people wont back you in the end britain has lost its get up and go! this is why we are in such a mess.

   I don't want to add to your woes, moody: you are wrong. I work for an academic book and journal publishing company.

"I have worked for 40 years, negotiated my own pay and done OK." You negotiated your way out of a job then? You don't specify what is wrong with workers using the resources of unions -- please elaborate.

"That's why they are over." Please refer to my previous posting on the TUC.

"I don't need a load mouth with a delf esteem defect to represent me." A load mouth? Delf esteem? Something tells me you would have benefitted from some help...!

   ace: together we make a formidable force. If only we were at the head of 250000 storm troops. All would be well by christmas.

   Mr M: as I suspeced ypou are a MEN journo who they can't trust out on the streets. Am I right?

The very fact that your union is aiming for 8% just about sums up all that is wrong with unions. That's why they are over. In case you have forgotten, your pal Scargill finished you off. I have worked for 40 years, negotiated my own pay and done OK. I don't need a load mouth with a delf esteem defect to represent me.

   Mr Manchester Its you with your head full of ideals that are outdated? just like the postmen (going on strike) that didnt do them much good? unions are finished.Company directors have the upper hand now.. money first people last..