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Oxfordshire workers uncertain over future employment

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A trade union is urging an Oxfordshire firm to explain restructuring proposals that may lead to staff redundancies, union officials indicated.

Unite has requested animal feed producer ABN share details about possible workforce reductions spanning five British sites.

Among those potentially affected is a livestock feed manufacturing plant in Enstone near Chipping Norton, which according to the union is currently on the market.

More than 500 workers throughout the business face unclear futures, with leadership offering no insight into the company’s trajectory.

In April 2025, ABN discovered it had lost a major supply agreement with 2 Ag (formerly 2 Sisters), who chose to produce the feed internally.

As Transfer of Undertakings protections were not relevant, no staff members transferred to 2 Ag.

Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham said the company is displaying contempt for its personnel. Dedicated workers merit fairer treatment.

The business must offer clarity about what awaits employees.

The union describes holding several discussions with ABN yet receiving no definite information about when choices might be made.

A union official observed workers find themselves in limbo, uncertain whether they will remain with ABN, relocate to another employer, or lose their jobs altogether.

Unite’s national officer Adrian Jones mentioned one employee has devoted over 42 years to the business and feels deeply let down as leadership now seems distant.

ABN is not a small operation – it operates under Associated British Foods, which also runs Primark.

A company of this scale ought to treat its workers responsibly and be forthright about their job security.

The union is demanding the business set firm deadlines for decisions and adequately support their members.

The union argues the company seeks to sidestep redundancy expenses by keeping workers until they find alternative employment, pushing the problem onto others. Unite considers this inexcusable.

ABN’s general manager Jonny Lester previously said customers remain at the heart of every business choice.

Their current steps reflect their pledge to delivering reliable, high-quality animal feed products, today and in future.

They fully understand the worry these difficult yet necessary changes are creating for their colleagues at the sites involved.

They are working hard to communicate as transparently as possible and support those impacted.

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