Rolls-Royce workforce give resounding yes vote for strike action in battle to save historic Barnoldswick factory

In August, Rolls-Royce announced plans to offshore the production of its Trent Engine blades, which are made at the site, to a plant in Singapore.

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

Workers who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, recorded a 94% 'yes' vote in favour of industrial action.

As a consequence, Unite has set Rolls-Royce a 96-hour deadline to withdraw its plans to off-shore blade production to Singapore or confirm that comparable alternative work requiring a similar number of workers will be transferred to the plant.

Both options would require long-term cast iron guarantees to be made about the company’s commitment to the site.

If the deadline is not met, Unite will have no alternative other than to provide notice to the company.

The timing of the dispute is highly uncomfortable for Rolls-Royce with a debate held in Parliament on Wednesday about its offshoring proposals and comes at a time when the company is seeking substantial new investment.

Rolls-Royce is currently seeking £5 billion worth of investment in the form of a £2 billion rights issues, £2 billion worth of bonds and support from the UK government totalling £1 billion.

The threat to the plant has united the local community in a campaign to save the factory, with widespread support for the campaign coming from community groups, local businesses and the population of the town.

Unite regional officer Ross Quinn said: “The Rolls-Royce workers at Barnoldswick have given a resounding yes vote in favour of industrial action, as they are not prepared to see their jobs offshored.

“The entire town is firmly behind them, Barnoldswick was the birthplace of the jet engine, Rolls-Royce has been the principal employer for nearly 70 years and they are not prepared to let that disappear without a fight.

“Following Unite’s clear mandate for industrial action we are now giving Rolls-Royce the chance to reflect and return to the negotiating table to provide firm commitments to preserve highly skilled work at Barnoldswick.

“If they fail to take this opportunity to promote industrial harmony than the membership will be left with no alternative but to take action.

“Unite fully understands the challenges the company faces as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic but it is simply immoral to be asking the government for financial support and then using that money to make workers redundant and offshore their jobs abroad.”