Hundreds sign up for Unite and training
at Honda
In Swindon recently Honda laid off its 4,800 employees for 4
months from its car plant. This of course came as a shock to the
local workforce and the wider economy with the knock-on effect for
companies supplying the factory.
As soon as the news was out, the Unite team in the factory and
the region swung into action to see what could be done. As well as
the industrial negotiations going on plans needed to be put in
place to make the best use of the freed up time.
They decided that the best thing that could be done for members
during the 4 month lay-off was to get the opportunity in place for
members to gain and develop new and possibly transferable skills.
This would help future-proof members’ lifestyle and working
prospects.
The Unite team worked their socks off, talking to education
colleges, sources of training funding and Honda to set up ‘Open
Surgeries’ within 2 weeks. The company showed no interest. To the
extent that not even an on site venue for these surgeries was
forthcoming from them.
Officers in the Unite Swindon Office offered the use and support
of their premises, phone lines and people to help with the project.
Reps like Chanda Singh and Sergio Fellino from the company came
into the office to conduct interviews and help cover the phone
lines.
Just as things were kicking into place and the surgeries were
due to open, another whammy hit the people of Swindon. – the
weather!! The snow came, and boy did it come. The whole of the
region came to a standstill almost. Sergio said “I can’t praise the
staff in the office too highly who struggled to get in – covering
the phones and meeting members face to face.”
Despite the atrocious weather people were queuing up to get
information, go through an assessment and sign up for training.
They were signing up for courses and those who weren’t members
signed up with the union. At a follow-up open day in the local
Swindon College hundreds of people came and got signed onto a
variety of courses.
Chanda, a Unite rep who is planning to marry Helen in July, said
‘Over 300 people signed up on the first day alone. It was
incredible” He continued “Usually I only see the people who work in
the Assembly Frame Section with me. You forget about Unite
organising in the other sections. Seeing the whole team mobilised
and achieving so much together was mind-blowing”
The way people came out and braved the conditions just goes to
show how important the local workforce feel getting new skills is.
Jim D’Avila - the Unite industrial officer who covers Honda told me
“Workers here are hungry for training, and Unite are leading in
this project. Those companies who don’t work in cooperation with
the union don’t always link this aspect with Unite.”
