Strike threat as Consett company move work south

May 12 2009 by David Old, The Journal

UP to 80 workers are set to strike after production was moved down south.

Employees at Consett-based CAV Aerospace lodged a grievance over several issues including some production work being shifted down to a factory in Cambridge.

The firm acquired the site and workers in February.

The business supplies blue-chip aerospace firms with systems which protect business jets, military and smaller aircraft from the build up of exterior ice.

It has already brought in several measures to cope with a drop in demand including a pay freeze, a shorter working week and the suspension of a grading system to stop employees working their way up.

The company axed 40 jobs last year and announced a further 61 losses this month.

Now shift allowances have also been cut from 36% to 20%.

GMB members at the site have voted in favour of industrial action. Talks with CAV Aerospace broke down after the firm refused to make an offer to workers.