Rolls-Royce Barnoldswick Christmas closure an act of "industrial self-mutilation"

Rolls Royce’s announcement that it will close its factory in Barnoldswick from this Friday until after Christmas, while offshoring work around the globe, has been described as an act of "industrial self-mutilation".
Roll-Royce's Ghyll site in BarnoldswickRoll-Royce's Ghyll site in Barnoldswick
Roll-Royce's Ghyll site in Barnoldswick

Unite members have been undertaking targeted strike action since November 6th in a campaign to secure the future of the historic factory. This was due to end on December 24th.

In August, Rolls-Royce announced that it was intent on offshoring the production of its Trent Engine blades, which are made at Barnoldswick to a factory in Singapore.

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Rolls-Royce currently has two adjoining production units in the town – Bankfield and Ghyll Brow – employing around 520 employees.

These proposals would see a reduction in activities at the Bankfield site, a move that would impact approximately 350 employees.

In a briefing staff were told that “on the basis of health and safety” the site would close for an extended Christmas shutdown and workers would not return until after Christmas.

They were also informed that work currently undertaken at Barnoldswick will be immediately transferred to Japan, Singapore and Spain.

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Rolls-Royce has further announced that workers who are not part of the current targeted industrial action will be furloughed from Monday, November 30th, until Friday, December 18th, and will receive 80% of their pay during this time.

According to Unite, the ‘Rolls-Royce furlough’ is not part of the government’s Job Retention Scheme, nor is it something that has been agreed with the union.

As a consequence Unite is seeking urgent clarification and is considering a legal challenge to ensure the workers who were not on strike receive 100% of their wages.

Unite regional officer Ross Quinn said: “We have consistently called on Rolls Royce to work with us to find the resolution that the members who have given their working lives to Rolls-Royce deserve.

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“However the company has shown absolutely no appetite to resolve the dispute. The decision to lock workers out of Barnoldswick before Christmas and to immediately offshore work at the factory demonstrates that Rolls-Royce has no intention of negotiating or consulting its loyal workers on its plans.

Workers at Barnoldswick, who take huge pride in their work, began targeted industrial action as a last resort in order to ensure the future of the historic factory.

“By its actions today it appears that Rolls-Royce is simply not prepared to enter into negotiations and to preserve this historic site. Instead it has undertaken this course of action which damages workers, the local community and the historic Rolls-Royce brand.

“We remain committed to finding a resolution and call on the company to meet with Unite immediately before they do irreparable damage to this workforce and community.”

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Unite national officer for aerospace Rhys McCarthy said: “Rolls-Royce actions are totally unacceptable. At a time when they should be entering into negotiations, they have instead locked workers out and moved work abroad.

“It is vitally important that the government and MPs make it entirely clear to Rolls-Royce that its actions are deplorable and should be reversed immediately.

“Since Rolls-Royce first announced its intentions, Unite has been crystal clear that it was fully prepared to negotiate to secure the future of Barnoldswick and this still remains the case.”

David Whipp, deputy leader of Pendle council and a Barnoldswick councillor, said the news was shocking and action was needed now.

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"This is the latest move in an increasingly acrimonious industrial dispute arising from the company's decision to move wide-chord fan blade production to Singapore," he said.

"Despite targeted strike action by employees, production in some areas has continued. But from Friday, employees will be furloughed and the sites shut down.

"This is an unfolding tragedy for the company's presence in Barnoldswick. It threatens the life-blood of our town and advanced manufacturing across Pendle and East Lancashire.

"It's beyond time that all sides, including the Government, got round the table before the company burns its boats in Barnoldswick.

"The situation is going from bad to worse. Action is needed now."