Workers from GKN’s King’s Norton plant will be lobbying
shareholders and grilling board members at Melrose’s annual general
meeting tomorrow (Thursday 9 May) over plans to shut their site by
March 2021, with the loss of 200 jobs. The workers, who are
members of Unite, will be outside the GKN owner’s AGM from 10:30
with a ‘Save King’s Norton GKN’ banner, urging shareholders to
press the Melrose board to think again and to vote against the
remuneration report. A...Request free trial
Workers from GKN’s King’s Norton plant will be lobbying
shareholders and grilling board members at Melrose’s annual general
meeting tomorrow (Thursday 9 May) over plans to shut their site by
March 2021, with the loss of 200 jobs.
The workers, who are members of Unite, will be outside the GKN
owner’s AGM from 10:30 with a ‘Save King’s Norton GKN’ banner,
urging shareholders to press the Melrose board to think again and
to vote against the remuneration report.
A delegation of workers, who hold company shares, will then attend
the AGM to press the board over the business case behind the
planned closure of the King’s Norton facility which makes canopies
and windows for military and civilian planes.
Melrose’s AGM will be held at 11:00 on Thursday 9
May at Barber-Surgeon’s Hall, Monkwell Square, Wood
Street, London EC2Y 5BL.
Commenting Unite national officer Rhys McCarthy said: “The
proposed closure of GKN King’s Norton raises serious questions
about Melrose’s commitment to retaining work in the UK and keeping
the promises it made to the government during its hostile takeover
of GKN.
“It is classic short-termism which will lead to vital skills being
lost to the company, in addition to sucking money out of the local
economy and wider supply chain.
“Unite is urging shareholders to press the Melrose board to think
again and work with us to re-examine the business case for the
closure of King’s Norton. We believe the site can have a bright
future and grow over the long-term.
“We are also asking shareholders to vote against the Melrose
remuneration report. Rewards under the main incentive scheme remain
uncapped, raising the prospect of Melrose’s bosses raking in
millions in future pay outs while sending GKN workers to the dole
queue.”
