ABOUT 35 information systems workers at Nestl UK are set to be made redundant.

The redundancies, to be phased during 2005, will be shared between the company's two sites in York and Croydon.

A Nestl spokeswoman said it seemed likely that about 15 jobs would go in York, out of a total of more than 110, with the remaining 20 going in Croydon.

But she stressed that alternative positions would be offered where possible.

She said the redundancies resulted from a restructuring of the information systems team for Nestl UK and Ireland.

It took into account the completion of a programme to implement GLOBE (Global Business Excellence), an ambitious business process reengineering programme to improve the performance and operational efficiency of Nestl businesses worldwide".

She added: "Thereafter, the objective will be to manage and sustain the continuous improvement of the GLOBE programme."

The job losses are just the latest white collar redundancies to hit York.

In June, the city's biggest private sector employer, Norwich Union Life, announced 150 jobs were to go, largely due to IT "outsourcing" to India, and the same company revealed in September that a further 60 posts would go.

Len Cruddas, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said the redundancies were not a major jobs blow, but still of concern.

"It's a worrying reminder of the importance of keeping a skilled and highly qualified workforce," he said.

Updated: 10:20 Monday, February 07, 2005