Second strike for remploy workers
Workers at Remploy factories around the country are due to carry out their second strike today to try to save hundreds of disabled jobs.
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Remploy decision: House of Commons reaction
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Union reaction to Remploy closures
Unions have reacted with anger at the news that a number of Remploy factories are to close, including the one in Cleator Moor.
The Union announced recently they will be holding strike action against the decision.
– –PHIL DAVIES, GMB NATIONAL SECRETARYGMB is very angry with the government’s confirmation today that it will close 27 Remploy factories in the first wave by December with the rest to follow shortly afterwards. To close these factories that employs disabled people in the present economic climate is a sentence to life of unemployment and poverty.
Remploy factory in Cleator Moor to close
More than 150 workers at Remploy factories across the region will lose their jobs.
A total of five factories will be affected - Spennymoor, Gateshead, Newcastle, and Ashington in the North East, and Cleator Moor in Cumbria.
The move has provoked anger from workers and some Labour MPs who've called it 'a cruel act'. But ministers insist that many disability groups now accept that it is no longer appropriate to have segregated workplaces.
An £8 million support programme has been put in place to support those affected.
BREAKING NEWS
The Government has confirmed the REMPLOY factory in Cleator Moor is to close.
Remploy workers speak out
Workers in west Cumbria who are set to lose their jobs following the announcement that disability employer Remploy is to close their factory have criticised the decision. The Cleator Moor site is one of five earmarked for closure. 15 people are employed there making protective clothing.
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Remploy in Cleator moor earmarked for closure
Local MP Jamie Reed said:
"I have been working with the employees to try and secure the future of the business in Cleator Moor.
"On four separate occasions I had a meeting arranged with the minister and on four separate occasions that meeting was cancelled."
He added: "I think this work force have been treated in a despicable way by the government.My aim now is to work with the local authorities and local businesses to try and get support for a employee buy out. That's what the work force want to spend their redundancy money on."
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