Rolls-Royce was urged this evening to make full use of the
chancellor’s extension of the furlough scheme until the end of
March to safeguard jobs at what is one of the jewels of British
manufacturing.
Unite, Britain and Ireland’s largest union, called on Rolls-Royce
to fully utilise the extension of the furlough scheme until March
2021 - outlined earlier today by chancellor - as the company announced nearly 1,400 jobs are being
cut in the UK and globally.
The job losses announced today are part of the company’s plan to
slash its worldwide workforce by 9,000 which was announced in May
this year, of which about 3,300 were earmarked for the UK.
Unite understands that the job losses could affect 650 managers,
100 staff and 420 production workers and is seeking urgent
clarification on how many jobs are under threat in the UK and how
many in the rest of the world.
Unite national officer for aerospace Rhys McCarthy said: “We are
calling on the Rolls-Royce management to halt its job loss
programme in the UK, while it fully considers the implications of
the extension of the furlough scheme until the end of March 2021
that chancellor unveiled to MPs earlier today.
“Rolls-Royce is one of the foremost jewels in the UK’s
manufacturing crown and we must all strive to ensure that this
world leader in engine-making maintains its highly skilled
workforce, so the company is ready for the challenges of the
post-pandemic economy.
“We can’t afford, as a country, to lose skilled manufacturing
jobs as they will generate prosperity for the benefit of all in
the years to come.
“Unite continues to work closely and constructively with the
Rolls-Royce management during this very difficult time for the UK
economy which has been rocked by Covid-19.
“We are giving maximum support to our members during this
uncertain period with Christmas on the horizon.”
The group employs 15,700 civil aerospace staff in the UK, with
the division headquartered in Derby and other main locations
including Bristol, Solihull and Heathrow. Rolls announced a £2
billion investor cash call in October to shore up its balance
sheet as the pandemic continues to severely hit the aviation
sector.
