Unite members “devastated” by Edwards proposal to offshore 220 jobs
13th January 2010
Unite members working at electronics manufacturer, Edwards have
been “devastated” by its proposals announced today (Wednesday, 13
January) to offshore 220 jobs.
Edwards has announced that it will cease all manufacturing at
its Burgess Hill and Shoreham factories and move the work to new
plants in Korea and the Czech Republic with the loss of 220
jobs.
Unite, the UK’s largest union, which represents the majority of
those workers who will be made redundant, is now keen to hold talks
with the management to ensure the least impact for the
workforce.
The announcement was made to employees via a video message which
chose to focus on the future benefits to the company of the
closures and left many reeling from its tactlessness.
Unite regional officer, Janet Henney, said: “This is another
example of the UK skilled manufacturing base being decimated for
the benefit of a profit driven private equity company. The company
haves paid little regard to the UK economy, our skills base and
least of all to those who have to go home today and tell their
families of their loss.
“Another blow has been dealt to British manufacturing with this
announcement. The time for this abuse of British jobs must end
now.”
Shaun McHale, senior Unite steward at the Shoreham site,
commented: “This is a devastating announcement especially given the
cooperation that we have given the company over recent years to
retain a UK based skilled workforce.”
The announcement follows four years of other announcements by
Edwards in which jobs have been moved to cheaper economies.
ENDS
For more information contact Janet Henney. Alternatively contact
Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite Press Office.
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