40 glass factory jobs in West Yorkshire at risk as union appeals for government help
Sites run by Verallia in Leeds and Knottingley could cut jobs - amid a shakeup of tax for glass packaging
Forty jobs at glass factories in Knottingley and Leeds are under threat, amid a shakeup of how glass packaging is taxed in the UK.
Consultations on job cuts at the two West Yorkshire Verallia sites have begun, according to the GMB Union.
Darran Travis, GMB Regional Organiser, said: "This is devastating news for the industry and the local community. Glass manufacturing is not operating on a level playing field.
"With the Glass Packaging Tax, rising energy costs, and higher employer contributions: we warned the Government jobs would go."
"GMB is calling for urgent Government intervention to prevent further decline across the glass manufacturing sector."
A Defra spokesperson said: "Extended Producer Responsibility moves the cost of dealing with waste away from taxpayers, generating over £1 billion annually."
"These changes are backing British business with major investment and creating 25,000 jobs.
"We continue to work closely with the glass industry on this programme.”