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Protest at label's London stores Protest at label's London stores
(20 minutes later)
More than 100 workers from the Burberry clothing factory in south Wales are taking their protest at closure plans to the label's top London stores.More than 100 workers from the Burberry clothing factory in south Wales are taking their protest at closure plans to the label's top London stores.
They will hand out leaflets outside the firm's Regent and Bond Street outlets to "put a human face" on the proposals to axe up to 300 job by next March.They will hand out leaflets outside the firm's Regent and Bond Street outlets to "put a human face" on the proposals to axe up to 300 job by next March.
Burberry says the Treorchy, Rhondda plant is not "commercially viable".Burberry says the Treorchy, Rhondda plant is not "commercially viable".
Campaigners point to the firm's £74m profits this year. They say closing the firm would add only 2% to its profits.Campaigners point to the firm's £74m profits this year. They say closing the firm would add only 2% to its profits.
Two coachloads of Burberry workers left Treorchy around 0630 GMT to hold a two-hour demonstration outside the firm's two main central London stores.Two coachloads of Burberry workers left Treorchy around 0630 GMT to hold a two-hour demonstration outside the firm's two main central London stores.
The 120 employees plan to highlight the effect on them of the firm's decision to switch the production - the south Wales plant makes polo shirts - overseas.The 120 employees plan to highlight the effect on them of the firm's decision to switch the production - the south Wales plant makes polo shirts - overseas.
Burberry does not need to move manufacturing abroad - sales are up - profits are up Mervyn Burnett, GMB unionBurberry does not need to move manufacturing abroad - sales are up - profits are up Mervyn Burnett, GMB union
Last week the company agreed to put back the factory closure from the end of the year to 31 March 2007.Last week the company agreed to put back the factory closure from the end of the year to 31 March 2007.
But this was called a "slight reprieve" by the politicians and union leaders leading the campaign to have Burberry drop the closure plans altogether.But this was called a "slight reprieve" by the politicians and union leaders leading the campaign to have Burberry drop the closure plans altogether.
GMB union senior organiser Mervyn Burnett said the demonstration on Saturday aimed to show the public how Burberry was "dumping people on the scrapheap".GMB union senior organiser Mervyn Burnett said the demonstration on Saturday aimed to show the public how Burberry was "dumping people on the scrapheap".
'Social policy''Social policy'
He said: "Everybody recognises Burberry as a British label. Everybody assumes the good are make the UK.He said: "Everybody recognises Burberry as a British label. Everybody assumes the good are make the UK.
"This closure will see a third of the manufacturing workforce of Burberry moved away. We know it's going to Asia, probably China."This closure will see a third of the manufacturing workforce of Burberry moved away. We know it's going to Asia, probably China.
Two coaches of Burberry workers left the Treorchy factory The two-hour protest will be held outside Burberry's London stores
"Burberry does not need to move manufacturing abroad. Sales are up. Profits are up."Burberry does not need to move manufacturing abroad. Sales are up. Profits are up.
"They have a social policy in terms of their employees and the environment. They are just dumping that policy in pursuit of more profits.""They have a social policy in terms of their employees and the environment. They are just dumping that policy in pursuit of more profits."
The campaign to keep the factory open has been led by Rhondda politicians Leighton Andrews AM, who was travelling from Wales on one of the coaches, and Chris Bryant MP who is to meet the protest at the London stores.The campaign to keep the factory open has been led by Rhondda politicians Leighton Andrews AM, who was travelling from Wales on one of the coaches, and Chris Bryant MP who is to meet the protest at the London stores.
Burberry has three shops in central London, one each in Bond Street and Regent Street and one in Knightsbridge. There are also concessions at Harrods and Harvey Nichols.Burberry has three shops in central London, one each in Bond Street and Regent Street and one in Knightsbridge. There are also concessions at Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
The firm, founded in 1856, also has five more shops at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, one at each of the terminals.The firm, founded in 1856, also has five more shops at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, one at each of the terminals.
Burberry declined to comment on the demonstration but a spokeswoman said a training support programme for its Treorchy workers would be available from Monday morning.Burberry declined to comment on the demonstration but a spokeswoman said a training support programme for its Treorchy workers would be available from Monday morning.
She added that the firm still had a manufacturing base in the UK, and had increased its workforce by 500 over the past five years to 2,000 staff currently - although it was not clear if all the 2,000 were in manufacturing.She added that the firm still had a manufacturing base in the UK, and had increased its workforce by 500 over the past five years to 2,000 staff currently - although it was not clear if all the 2,000 were in manufacturing.