MP to hold government talks over Rolls-Royce job fears...

[dutchman]

A Coventry MP has arranged crunch talks with the government over the future of the historic Rolls-Royce plant near Coventry.



Jim Cunningham MP shares the fears of 1,000 staff at Ansty about further heavy job losses and the plant’s ultimate closure, following latest cuts proposals.

On Saturday the Coventry Telegraph revealed new plans to radically alter staff pay and conditions. Unions are balloting on whether to refuse to negotiate with managers.

It follows an announcement last November of 220 job losses by 2012 – a quarter of staff – in response to government defence cuts. The plant’s main business is repairing engines for military aircraft affected by Armed Forces spending cuts, while orders for repairs of civilian aeroplane engines are growing.

Mr Cunningham, Labour MP for Coventry South, a former Ansty union convenor, has arranged a meeting with Conservative MP Peter Luff, the minister for defence equipment, support and technology, in September.

He will also meet with Ansty union reps and Rolls-Royce managers. Mr Cunningham said: “I share the staff’s concerns. Rolls-Royce in the last 12 months haven’t given us any clarification about what they’re going to introduce into Ansty. It needs an injection of more work.

“I want to know from the defence procurement minister what the government’s plans are to secure more work. Ansty has to take a priority.

“For example, we’re still not clear what will happen with the aircraft carrier, the Ark Royal. Lots of work could be secured if someone buys it.

“Ansty helps to retain Coventry’s leadership in advanced manufacturing and technology.

“Rolls-Royce is like Jaguar to Coventry and Warwickshire. Both are symbolic and psychologically important. They make other companies think about investing here.”

Unions have also called for talks with Rugby Tory MP Mark Pawsey.

They say the cuts proposals include longer working hours for no extra pay, fewer holidays, and shift changes include temporary lay-offs when orders are quiet.

It is understood 200 “fancase” workers who repair civil aircraft engines have already voted to reject the proposals, despite being warned orders would be subcontracted to Italy if they do not accept.

Up to 400 workers repairing military engines are being balloted on whether they should negotiate.

They say they were told in staff meetings substantial savings are still necessary.

Derby-based Rolls-Royce, which declined to comment, announced record order books of £61.4billion at the end of June, with underlying pre-tax profits to £595million.