Threat of axe looms at plant
Wednesday 28th January 2009, 11:50AM GMT.
Hundreds of livelihoods were under threat in Telford today after engineering giant GKN announced it was considering further job cuts because of the downturn in the car industry.
The firm has already axed 242 jobs in the UK, including 90 jobs at its Hadley Castle works in Telford, because of the fall in demand and in a bid to save more than £2.24 million.
GKN, which employs about 6,400 workers in the UK, including 2,000 in its automotive component sector of which 950 are in Telford, said further restructuring would take place this year.
The programme remains under review, but the firm said it will include “significant” short-time working, plant shutdowns, selected headcount reduction and further structural rationalisation.
The news, coming just hours ahead of a summit between the Government and car industry leaders to discuss the crisis facing motor manufacturers, was described as “another body blow” by unions.
Joe Morgan, of trade union GMB, said: “We need to discuss the implications of this on a plant-by-plant basis and see if there is any scope for Government assistance.”
GKN, which supplies car factories across the UK, said that since last October it had cut about 2,800 jobs from its workforce globally, including temporary, agency and permanent employees.
GKN has four factories manufacturing motor components in Birmingham and Telford, as well as a number of aerospace sites.
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im not suprised at this news as i am an employee at the hadley castle works, and this has been on the cards for ages. Its just a shame that the management at gkn, have yet again decided to inform the press about the number of job cuts before informing its employees.Not very good for an employer that supposedly “cares” about its workers and their welfare.
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hear hear,have to agree mate it seems that the papers know more than we do.
it was reported that gkn would make a statement today last monday so why not tell the employees what was going on before releasing the statement.
i think its a dreadful way to treat people especially as some of the workforce have stayed loyal to gkn for years all theyve had back is a kick in the teeth
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