Amicus officials and representatives met with senior management on Tuesday 17th January after a recent statement from GME boss Carl-Peter Forster said that Ellesmere Port is vulnerable in the coming site selection process for the new Astra replacement.

 

This is the second time he has singled out Ellesmere Port and made comments about its future, mentioning its labour costs and also the agreement reached in Germany on wage freezes. Carl-Peter Forster is the newly appointed leader of GME but has been involved with the running of GME for a number of years, and while he says Ellesmere Port is under threat he has failed to talk about the labour forces achievements. In 2005 Ellesmere Port built 192,000 cars with less than 3500 employees, more units than ever before with less people. The plant has met its schedule consistently for the last 12 months and it won a 50 million euro investment for its Press shop by reaching agreement on a new 24/7 production agreement which took labour from other parts of the plant and in the last 3 years Ellesmere Port has passed the GMGMS audit twice attaining 89% average.

 

Agreements have been reached on issues such as, 3 rotating shifts, flexible vacations, flexible working time, that have benefited the Company. The trade unions and its membership are committed to making Ellesmere Port a success, we are well aware of the commitments given by other countries, especially the ex eastern block countries which multi nationals are moving in to.

The factory which makes chewits sweets is facing closure.

 

Over 160 people employed at Leaf UK in Southport face job losses if the company move production to Slovakia.

 

Debbie Brannan Regional Office said:

 

An initiative to coach children in football is being held in Burnley on Saturday 4^th February. 

 

Football students from South Nottingham College who are going to South Africa in April to provide football coaching and football kit for school aged children in the townships will be having a practice run with five school aged Burnley teams.

 

Amicus is supporting members working at British Airways as BA launches BA Connect to compete with other no-frills airlines to improve profits.

 

Denise Barber, Regional Official said:

 

Over 30 members from the North West attended the NHS lobby of Parliament on 10^th January including Regional Officers' Gary Owen, Karen Climpson and Regional Secretary, Kevin Coyne.

The lobby was well attended and those who attended enjoyed healthy debate and discussions on the Government's proposals, which could result in the fragmentation of the NHS.  Many MP's present promised to raise support with other Amicus MP's in order to influence Government thinking on its White Paper.  Members also lobbied their own MPs in constituencies around the North West and nationally.

 

Amicus Health & Safety Representatives are invited to a Health & Safety training day in Manchester.

 

The main topic for the day will be the recent launch of the TUC publication "Hazards at Work" (organising for safe and health workplaces) and guest speakers addressing the seminar.

 

A 'Launch Week' held in January to highlight a year long Recruitment Campaign at Friends Provident was a big success.

 

Several new members were recruited in Manchester and Preston including some new young members who traditionally have proved resistant.  Various events included drop in sessions, an information stand, Fairtrade wine or chocolates for each new member and for members who recruit a colleague or friend.

 

Please remember to keep us informed of any changes to your email addresses so that you keep receiving future copies of the North West Bulletin. If you know of other colleagues who may be interested in receiving the bulletin, ask them to contact us at northwestbulletin@amicustheunion.org.

 

Don't forget if you have any North West events or pieces of news you would like to include in the next Regional Bulletin please forward drafts to northwestbulletin@amicustheunion.org.