Unite: Brough closure a “disgraceful dereliction of duty to a world class workforce”
Unite, Britain's biggest union, has branded BAE Systems' decision to end manufacturing at Brough in Yorkshire, as a "disgraceful dereliction of duty to a world class workforce".
Last night BAE Systems management unilaterally ended consultation with Unite on the business case for ending manufacturing at Brough. Despite there being a number of options on the table, including one which would have kept the capability to manufacture Hawk fighter jets at Brough, the company has opted for the most extreme choice to close the site, putting 850 jobs at risk.
Unite has also criticised the UK's lax interpretation of EU legislation which is supposed to ensure companies effectively consult with worker representatives with a view to mitigating the impact of restructuring.
Unite, is now meeting with its lawyers to actively pursue legal action on behalf of the workers at the site as a result of the company's behaviour.
Unite national officer Ian Waddell said:
"BAE Systems has displayed a disgraceful dereliction of duty to a world class workforce. Management has chosen to take the most extreme decision by unnecessarily opting to close Brough entirely. This means the loss of vital manufacturing capabilities and skills.
"The closure of Brough will have a devastating impact on the local economy. The area is already an unemployment blackspot and today's announcement makes the situation significantly worse.
"Unfortunately because of weak employment laws we are fighting to save manufacturing skills and jobs at BAE Systems with one hand tied behind our backs. The UK's lax interpretation of EU rules on consulting workers on restructuring, means employers can get away with taking short-term decisions which affect jobs and skills in the long term."
"The latest manufacturing figures showing weaker than expected growth highlight just how tough things are for manufacturing workers. We are going to continue to fight for UK manufacturing and we expect the government to demand that BAE Systems thinks again."
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo 07768 931 315
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