This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7824718.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Nearly 700 more job losses at JCB | Nearly 700 more job losses at JCB |
(20 minutes later) | |
JCB is to make a further 684 people redundant across its UK factories. | |
The job losses at the Staffordshire-based firm come in addition to 1,000 jobs cuts made last year. | |
Company officials said that a lack of available credit from banks meant its customers had been unable to afford new diggers and other equipment. | |
The company said its total business was down 75% on the same period last year. In October staff voted for a shorter 34-hour week to protect jobs. | |
'Unprecedented situation' | |
JCB said its Staffordshire plants, including the company's headquarters in Rocester, JCB Cab Systems in Rugeley and Uttoxeter-based JCB Heavy Products would be affected. | |
Jobs are also to go at JCB Earthmovers, Cecilly Mills, and JCB Compact Products, which are all based in Cheadle. | |
A spokesman said JCB Transmissions, based in Wrexham, North Wales, and JCB Power Systems, in Derbyshire, would also be affected. | |
Chief executive Matthew Taylor said there had been no sign business would pick up soon for the company. | Chief executive Matthew Taylor said there had been no sign business would pick up soon for the company. |
"The ongoing reluctance of the banks to provide credit is aggravating an economic downturn which is now becoming much steeper than we could have ever envisaged," he said. | |
Our members have done everything possible, including sharing the misery, to try to avoid further job losses Joe Morgan, GMB regional officer | |
"This unprecedented situation needs to be addressed with some urgency so that confidence and stability can return, otherwise irreparable damage will be caused to the UK's manufacturing industry." | "This unprecedented situation needs to be addressed with some urgency so that confidence and stability can return, otherwise irreparable damage will be caused to the UK's manufacturing industry." |
The worst-hit site will be the company's biggest plant, in Rocester, where 400 jobs will be lost. | |
At the Wrexham base, where 164 jobs were shed in 2008, 58 staff will be made redundant, the company said. | |
The latest job losses will affect 593 shop-floor and 91 staff positions across the group. | |
Members of the GMB union voted in October for a shorter week, a move which the company said would still protect a further 332 shop-floor positions. | |
Joe Morgan, regional officer of the GMB, said he was "very disappointed" by JCB's decision. | |
"Our members have done everything possible, including sharing the misery, to try to avoid further job losses," he added. | |
"We will be seeking talks with JCB to minimise the job cuts." | |
JCB employs about 4,800 people in the UK, with 4,300 workers based in Staffordshire. |