SNOW fell as hundreds of downhearted workers left a Boots factory after being told about job cuts.
Workers leaving the site at 2pm yesterday as the shifts changed were met by icy conditions, but the freezing temperatures were the least of many of the workers' worries.
Assistant engineer Zoltan Roth said: "The mood is okay inside the factory but not great, which is to be expected.
"The management have tried to do their best for everyone.
"I think that the cuts should all go to agency staff working at the plant.
"It is really unfair that anyone has to go and everyone is now worried."
Although the news had reached many people, some workers were confused or unaware of what was happening.
Administrator Jackie Jones added: "If I am honest I didn't know anything about it. It is shocking and worrying that 200 people can be told they no longer have a job.
"I work in customer care and my department is actually expanding, so hopefully my job will be okay but I worry about other people."
Some staff at the plant were relieved to hear that their job was safe for the time being.
Line-picker Daniela Bajzikova, of Beeston, said: "It is bad news for those that have lost their jobs.
"I am still working and have a job so I don't really care about what is happening elsewhere."
The cuts are coming from the Boots Contract Manufacturing (BCM) arm.
A spokesperson for Alliance Boots added: "Our colleagues have been our key priority throughout this decision-making process and this continues to be reflected in our communications approach.
"We have ensured that the affected colleagues at Boots Contract Manufacturing heard the news first, and directly from us. BCM operates multiple shifts throughout the day making it impossible to brief everyone simultaneously.
"However, we have been careful to communicate with all affected colleagues at the first available opportunity.
"We have over 8,000 employees on the Beeston site, the majority of whom are not part of BCM – many would not have known about the news before their colleagues at BCM."
"We remain fully committed to supporting those affected and will do all we can to seek opportunities for them elsewhere in the group."
