Unite for
Jobs for metal workers
Members working in the Metals section are at the heart of
manufacturing. Since the start of the recession of September
2008 we have seen thousands upon thousands of jobs lost in this
sector as the requirement for goods made from steel, aluminium,
tinplate and brass has declined.
Aluminium factories have been subject to closure as
multi-national employers have condensed their operations and moved
work abroad, largely because it is easier and cheaper to close
factories in the UK than among their other operations in
Europe.
Foundries have also seen decline over the years as the price of
pig iron and energy costs have soared.
In September 2008 Corus, the largest steel producer in the UK,
were set to make record profits in the accounting year April 2008 -
April 2009. Then the recession hit and the bottom fell out of
their markets, which in the main are automotive and
construction.
From September 2008 until January 2009 we were able to persuade
Corus to "weather the storm" but on 26th January 2009, Corus
announced 3500 job losses, 2500 based based in the UK and 1000 in
the Netherlands.
Under UK law we are entitled up to 90 days consultation to try
to minimise these job losses. However, in the
Netherlands consultations can take up-to a year before the job
losses are enacted enabling the Dutch unions to lessen the impact
through natural wastage, or, indeed, when the recession lifts and
the production requirements go back to pre-recession levels, argue
that there is no need for any job losses to take place as the
markets have now returned to their previous demands.
This is why we need a level playing field with the rest of
workers within the European Union.
In addition to the announced restructuring the company are now
intending to take wage costs out of the business during the period
of recession. There are indications that if they were to
match manpower to production requirements a further 2000 jobs could
be lost.
We are resisting this course of action with discussions
taking place plant by plant between the unions and management to
see what savings can be made without job cuts.
But mostly what we need in this industry, and across
manufacturing as a whole, is help from government during this
recession.
Temporary employment support to our members who are suffering
short-time working or facing loss of employment is essential.
Without it our manufacturing industries will continue to
decline at an alarming rate.
Help win support for our skills and jobs.
Email to a friend
Want to share this story? These sites allow you to tag and share links across the internet enabling you to share these links with friends and people with similar interests. You can also access your links from any computer you happen to be using.
