Associated Press | Kraft Foods Inc.’s acquisition of Cadbury PLC
will not result in layoffs at Kraft’s four New York facilities,
including its cream cheese plant here, according to U.S. Sen. Charles
E. Schumer.

“I spoke today to the CEO of Kraft, and she assured me that Kraft loves
New York and the first-class New York work force that make their
operations here so productive,” Sen. Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a
Wednesday release. “Thousands of New Yorkers can sleep easier tonight,
knowing their jobs are safe and not threatened by this merger.”

Cadbury shareholders last week approved Kraft’s $19.5 billion offer to acquire the British candy maker.

Mr. Schumer said he was concerned about the New York plants after learning that some Cadbury plants abroad will be shuttered because of the deal and contacted Kraft Chief Executive Officer Irene Rosenfeld in hopes of securing a no-layoff commitment.

“I’m glad that Ms. Rosenfeld said the company planned to keep Kraft facilities operating at full steam in New York. It means she and the entire company recognize what a terrific and productive labor force we have,” he said.

Kraft, headquartered in Northfield, Ill., is the world’s second-largest food company. The Lowville facility, Kraft’s largest cream cheese manufacturing plant, employs about 325 people.

The company operates three other N.Y. plants: one in Avon in Livingston County that makes Cool Whip and Lunchables, one in Campbell in Steuben County that makes mozzarella and ricotta cheese and one in Walton in Delaware County that makes sour cream and cottage cheese.