GKN is remaining tight-lipped regarding British union claims staff at its Birmingham driveline manufacturing unit are getting ready to poll for strike motion.
UK labour physique, Unite, says staff on the GKN Automotive manufacturing unit in Chester Street Birmingham are getting ready for a strike poll, as a part of the marketing campaign to maintain the manufacturing unit open.
GKN Automotive introduced plans earlier this 12 months it was to shut the Birmingham plant in 2022, with the lack of greater than 500 jobs, which can influence what’s historically the guts of the British automaking area.
The union beforehand raised issues surrounding the doable lack of expert manufacturing from Britain on the website, which produces drivelines for GKN, however the provider insisted the manufacturing unit was now not viable in an more and more aggressive international market.
Unite says in a consultative poll, the workforce “overwhelmingly” voted in favour of strike motion and the labour affiliation is now getting ready for a full industrial motion poll. If members vote for strike motion, stoppages may begin later this summer season.
“The GKN workforce is ready to go the additional mile to make sure the way forward for the manufacturing unit and pave the way in which for the profitable electrification of the UK automotive trade, however their ambitions are being squashed by authorities inaction and GKN Melrose’s willpower to shut the positioning,” mentioned Unite nationwide officer for the Automotive Sector, Des Quinn.
“As such the employees consider they haven’t any choice aside from to take strike motion. This step is a final resort and it’ll inevitably trigger extreme disruption to manufacturing schedules for the corporate’s key clients.
“The answer is apparent. The federal government must make good on its guarantees to assist the corporate by a interval of change and GKN Melrose wants to finish its risk of closing a strategically necessary and beneficial asset.”
Unite assistant normal secretary Steve Turner raised the GKN Automotive state of affairs on the summit yesterday (29 June) held by the Society of Motor Manufactures and Merchants (SMMT). “It’s a shame we’re having to battle to avoid wasting expert jobs at GKN as a result of the federal government is sitting on its fingers,” mentioned Turner.
“Angela Merkel wouldn’t permit Germany to lose these very important trades as a result of that nation is stepping as much as the inexperienced problem. But right here, Boris Johnson needs the plaudits, however the reality is his authorities is doing subsequent to nothing to assist renew manufacturing on this nation.
“The GKN plant won’t be allowed to go to the wall. It have to be introduced right into a ‘nationwide electrification technique.’ We desperately want resilient provide chains, transitioning our crops and abilities to fabricate the elements of the long run.”
Since 2018, GKN has been owned by enterprise capitalists Melrose, with the acquisition proving extremely controversial. In response to fears GKN was going to be asset stripped, Melrose promised shareholders and traders it might set up a ‘UK manufacturing powerhouse.’
GKN was not instantly accessible to reply to just-auto regarding proposed strike motion on the Chester Street plant, however beforehand famous: “GKN Automotive has totally thought of the counter proposals put ahead.”
“Nevertheless, the outlook for the extremely aggressive automotive market stays unchanged.
“Regretfully, due to this fact, we’re continuing with our proposal to shut the positioning. Supporting our individuals continues to be our precedence.”
