Remploy strike 26th January

25 January 2012

GMB MEMBERS AT REMPLOY IN CHESTERFIELD AND SPRINGBURN IN GLASGOW STRIKE TOMORROW

The strike is to oppose the introduction of employees on lower terms and conditions of employment

GMB members employed at Remploy factories in Chesterfield and at Springburn in Glasgow will take strike action tomorrow, Thursday 26th January 2012, over the possible takeover of the Remploy Healthcare Group by a company called Websters which will lead to the implementation of a two tier payment system.

There will be picket lines in operation from 5:30 a.m. at Remploy Chesterfield and at 7 a.m. at Remploy Springburn site addresses as follows:

REMPLOY LTD,

SHEFFIELD ROAD,

WHITTINGTON MOOR,

CHESTERFIELD

S41 8NJ

REMPLOY LTD,

ATLAS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE,

600 EDGEFAULD ROAD,

SPRINGBURN,

GLASGOW

G21 4NA

All 54 Remploy factories are under threat of closure when current public funding ends in April 2013. If these proposals go ahead up to 4,000 workers will lose their jobs.

Another threat is that the factories are rendered less economic being only 50% loaded because either public bodies have failed to support them with work as allowed under EU rules or their own managers are turning down work.

GMB has shown that it would cost the Treasury less to keep the Remploy factories operating fully loaded rather than putting the workers out of work on welfare. The majority of Remploy workers who lost their jobs in 2008 are still on welfare 3 years later.

The crucial campaign objective for Remploy workers is to get the loading up from 50% now to 100% and to keep these factories open. Local councils have responded positively to requests to give more work to the Remploy factories.

Phil Davies, GMB National Secretary said, “GMB members at these two Remploy factories which are part of the Remploy Healthcare Group voted in an legal strike ballot by more than 90% in favour of strike action or action short of a strike.

The reasons they are on strike are because of the introduction of a two tier pay and conditions structure, a move towards the privatisation of the Remploy Healthcare Group, the employment of non-disabled staff who have been brought into the Chesterfield factory and are being paid differently from the disabled workers i.e. less sick pay, no final salary pension, no trade union recognition and less holidays.

Overall the 54 Remploy factories across the UK (see list below) face the threat of closure or the threat of being taken over and eventually closed. This strike action is the first by Remploy workers to save their jobs and their terms and conditions of employment. They deserve the support of the UK public.

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