Nissan in talks over building electric cars
Feb 6 2009 by William Green, The Journal
Workers told to take a pay cut or risk losing jobs
WORKERS at a car parts manufacturer have been given a stark ultimatum – work a four-day week or risk losing your job.
Staff at the TRW Automotive factory in Peterlee, County Durham, are being consulted on the proposals.
If they vote against the reduced hours, the firm say more workers will have to be laid off. It is believed it could be 25% of the 550-strong workforce. Redundancies have already been made at the site – with 67 staff being axed and a number of leavers not being replaced by the firm.
The firm has also axed 25 staff at its Washington site, which has 234 staff.
Now the site, which produces safety electronics for a number of vehicle manufacturers, is looking for more cuts.
Plant manager Robin Finley said: "The automotive industry has been hit hard by the global economic crisis and we are taking actions to secure our competitive position and ensure we have the appropriate cost base for current customer demand. We have already taken actions to mitigate the impact of industry challenges over the course of recent months.
"We face further reductions in volume and need to look at further actions. Our proposal is to move to a four-day week. Regrettably, the alternative would be further redundancies. We are keen to work with our employees to avoid this as far as we can."
Mike Routledge regional officer for the Unite union, said: "We have every sympathy with the decision our members have to make.
"Unfortunately TWR don’t recognise our union and won’t let us on to the site. Therefore we have been unable to assist them through this difficult time and negotiate any job losses they might have to make."
Labour councillor for the Howletch ward David Taylor-Gooby said: "TRW have been a good employer and many people who I represent work there. I hope they can come to a decision which is in the best interest of all the workforce."
The factory had been booming last year and announced plans to take on an extra 170 workers in August.
