COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Disabled workers at Remploy in Coventry fear redundancies from a planned sale of the business, a Coventry MP says.



Coventry South Labour MP Jim Cunningham has raised their concerns with the government over the combined sale of Remploy automotive factories in Tille Hill, Coventry, Birmingham and Derby.

The government-subsidised Remploy – which provides jobs for disabled people producing products for commercial markets – announced last month it had selected an preferred bidder and was entering into due diligence talks with a view to a sale “as soon as possible” this year.

The government claims Remploy is based on an outdated “sheltered employment” model which does little to foster real independence for disabled people – who might otherwise get other jobs with other employers.

Many disabled people have protested, claiming Remploy has protected them from job discrimination and gives them real opportunities to work and contribute to society. The government says individually tailored support back into work will be offered to any affected worker.

Mr Cunningham met with Esther McVey MP, minister for disabled people. He said: “Without knowing who the bidder is – or the details of the deal being made – employees are in a state of limbo and want assurances that there won’t be redundancies after the sale.

“The sale is due to be completed by the end of September, which leaves very little time for the deal to be settled, let alone to give time for employees to have discussions and negotiations.

Redundancies elsewhere in Remploy come with a redundancy package and automotive workers want to know if they will still be entitled to this in the event that redundancies are announced by the new owner.”

Mr Cunningham said the government had rejected the social enterprise bid lodged by the Tile Hill factory’s staff, moving the goalposts so that only bids for all three sites would be accepted.

He said employees with little experience of putting such bids together were given little support and encouragement. The minister claimed social enterprise bids were considered equally.

Mr Cunningham added: “I am disappointed that it does not look as though the Coventry Remploy site will be taken over by a social enterprise – I had hoped to see an employee-led bid, supported by the council, be successful.”

Mr Cunningham added the information he was given about the deal – which remains confidential – “appeared positive”, but he would want to see it in its final form when it is announced.

Coventry Remploy factory saved from closure



Workers at Coventry’s Remploy factory have been given an early Christmas present after a deal was signed to save the automotive firm from closure.

Over 200 jobs across the company’s three sites - Coventry, Birmingham and Derby - have been saved after the business was sold to automotive and aerospace giant Rempower Ltd.

The news has been welcomed by union leaders, who say workers are ‘relieved’ the sale is complete and now look forward to building ‘strong working relationships’ with the new owners.

The deal follows the government’s announcement last year that Remploy factories, which have traditionally provided work for people with disabilities, were to be sold off or closed.

Remploy Automotive, which supplies parts to businesses such as Jaguar Land Rover, employs 217 people - including 179 disabled workers.

Rempower Ltd, which is owned by Arlington Industries Group, has a number of manufacturing facilities around the world.

The group’s chairman David Roberts said Remploy Automotives will become part of a stable of companies that supply both UK and global aerospace and automotive customers.

He added: “Remploy Automotive is an excellent addition to our global business.

“We see it as a unique business, representing the very best in corporate social responsibility and advanced manufacturing and assembly. Remploy Automotive’s skillbase and resources will become a critical piece of our strategy to supply Tier 1 supply chain clients in the automotive and aerospace sectors.

“By opening up Remploy Automotive’s services to a wider customer base, we fully expect to see significant benefits from Remploy Automotive and Rempower Ltd.”