Remploy workers strike over factory closures

Workers at Remploy factories across Wales are taking industrial action in response to a decision taken by the Westminster Government to close or sell-off 54 Remploy factories in the UK.

Remploy workers at most factories voted by large margins for the action.

However, workers at Wrexham carried out their own ballot and have decided not to strike, with workers feeling that action is 'too little, too late.'

Factories at Aberdare, Abertillery, Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea and Wrexham will close between August and mid-December with the loss of almost 200 jobs.

While the future of the factories in both Neath Port Talbot and Porth in the Rhondda is uncertain the factories in Bridgend and Croespenmaen will remain open for the time being. However, with uncertainty still looming over their long-term future workers will take to the picket line supported in many places by their local MPs.

Unite and the GMB have been campaigning to keep the Remploy factories open as viable businesses and workers at the 54 factories - 27 of which face the axe - have been spurred on to take industrial action today after receiving more than 7,500 individual messages of support.

On Tuesday the Welsh Government confirmed it will pay firms taking on Remploy workers who lose their jobs when their factories shut. Education Minister Leighton Andrews said costs and wages would be covered for up to four years.

Following a review the UK Government decided to close many of the Remploy sites claiming that they were not financially viable but also insist that they are committed to supporting disabled workers.

Unite Union has also announced a second day of strikes to take place on Thursday 26 July.