Shock for Siemens workers as 80 jobs are cut

Jun 16 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

Siemens employs more than 2,500 people in the region in energy, industry and IT sectors with offices in Monkton, Heaton, Stockton and Durham. However, these bases are not expected to suffer cuts.

A father-of-two from the Hebburn site, who asked not to be named, told The Journal all the workers were in shock at the news.

He said: “They got everybody together and gave us the letters and sent us home at 3pm.

“There has been rumours that the work had dropped off, but a guy from Germany came over a couple of months ago and told us that they wanted to keep a base here and they were doing everything in their power to keep it.

“Times are hard, so trying to get another job in this area is going to be hard.”

Union leaders at Unite are in discussions with Siemens, which has promised to try to help people get other jobs in the region.

A Siemens spokeswomen said: “This is in response to a significant shortfall in orders especially in relation to its international high voltage gas insulated switch gear equipment, where the market has sharply declined during the global recession.

“This is not a decision that has been taken lightly but one that must be made in order to secure the long term future of the UK service operation.

“The company will now enter a formal consultation process with all those affected in line with statutory requirements.

“Other Siemens businesses based in the North East region and wider energy sector are not affected by this review.”