Union bosses to hold talks with General Electric over Stafford job losses
Union bosses are to hold crunch talks with a Midlands energy giant in a last-ditch bid to prevent the loss of 1,100 jobs.
Major job losses have been announced at General Electric (GE), including at one of its factories in Stafford which is set for closure.
Bosses met with workers last week to discuss the future of the firm but bosses have insisted final decisions will not be made until the end of a consultation period.
Unite said it was 'committed to challenging GE as to why it is making these redundancies' and that is was concerned 'pre-emptive' decisions had been made on job losses.
Around 500 jobs could go at the company's power division in Stafford, while hundreds more could be axed at factories in Rugby.
Unite regional officer Zoe Mayou said: “Last month General Electric announced 1,100 job losses in the UK, but we are not satisfied that a coherent business case has been made for these cutbacks. There is managerial opaqueness surrounding the whole exercise.
“We are concerned that local management could be making pre-emptive decisions before the consultation guidelines have been agreed at the European works council.
“What we are talking about are highly skilled engineering and research staff - vital for this country’s post-Brexit future – whose futures are at stake.
“We also want to probe the extent delays to government procurement decisions, such as the indecision about whether the £1.3bn Swansea tidal lagoon will go-ahead, which would provide work for GE Power as part of its Power Conversion business.
“We are aware that GE wishes to commence consultations as soon as possible, but Unite is adamant that this should not start until the details and process have been agreed at the European level.
“This is to ensure that proper consultation with detailed information can happen at the various GE sites.
“GE must ensure that it follows the correct consultation process and allows the details of its rationale backed up with facts and figures to be analysed and questions arising answered in full.
“Unite is committed to challenging GE as to why it is making these redundancies and what impact this will have on the economies and social fabric of local towns.”
A Staffordshire County Council-led taskforce was due to meet today (tue) to discuss support available for affected staff.
It was announced last month that the firm would be closing one of its four factories in Lichfield Road.