Strike threat as work goes south

May 12 2009 By David Old, The Journal

UP to 80 workers are set to strike after production was moved down south.

Employees at Consett-based CAV Aerospace lodged a grievance over several issues including some production work being shifted down to a factory in Cambridge.

The firm acquired the site and workers in February.

The business supplies blue-chip aerospace firms with systems which protect business jets, military and smaller aircraft from the build up of exterior ice.

It has already brought in several measures to cope with a drop in demand including a pay freeze, a shorter working week and the suspension of a grading system to stop employees working their way up.

The company axed 40 jobs last year and announced a further 61 losses this month.

Now shift allowances have also been cut from 36% to 20%.

GMB members at the site have voted in favour of industrial action. Talks with CAV Aerospace broke down after the firm refused to make an offer to workers.

Walk-outs are planned for Monday, May 18, and Tuesday, May 26. Workers will also refuse to work overtime from May 18.

Regional organiser, Stephen Thompkins said: "We appreciate the company’s having financial difficulties, but why is it outsourcing work? If the work was kept in Consett there wouldn’t be the need for this many redundancies.

"There also should have been proper consultation over the shift allowances.

"Our members haven’t lodged complaints about the three-day week or pay freeze, because it’s accepted it effects everyone. But these other issues were brought in without relevant notice. People have families, when their allowance is cut and all of a sudden work is sent down to Cambridge, it’s hard to take."

Last-ditch talks will be held on Thursday to try to avoid the action.

The firm employs about 400 workers at the Consett site.

A company spokesman said: "We are currently continuing discussions facilitated by ACAS. I can confirm the dispute is not related to the recent redundancies."