GKN workers in Birmingham prepare to ballot for strike action in battle to save factory

Wednesday, 30 June 2021 12:42

Workers at the GKN Automotive factory in Chester Road Birmingham are preparing for a strike ballot, as part of the campaign to keep the factory, which is critical for the successful electrification of the UK’s automotive industry, open.

In a consultative ballot the workforce has overwhelmingly voted in favour of strike action and Unite, the UK’s leading union, is now actively preparing for a full industrial action ballot. If members vote for strike action, stoppages could begin later this summer.

In January this year the 500 strong workforce at the factory, which produces drivelines for cars, were informed by the company’s owners GKN Melrose that the plant was earmarked for closure in 2022, with work being offshored to Europe.

The strike action is a result of GKN’s Melrose’s rejection of an alternative business plan put together by a joint consultative committee and its stated intention to press ahead with plans for closure.

Unite and the local workforce are also highly dismayed that initial government promises of support to ensure that the factory remains open and is able to play a key role in the electrification of the UK’s automotive industry, have so far amounted to nothing.

As a consequence of the government’s inaction, Unite will organise a demonstration and lobby of parliament.

Unite national officer for the automotive sector Des Quinn said: “The GKN workforce is prepared to go the extra mile to ensure the future of the factory and pave the way for the successful electrification of the UK car industry, but their ambitions are being squashed by government inaction and GKN Melrose’s determination to close the site.

“As such the workers believe that they have no option other than to take strike action.

“This step is a last resort and it will inevitably cause severe disruption to production schedules for the company’s key customers.

“The solution is obvious. The government needs to make good on its promises to support the company through a period of change and GKN Melrose needs to end its threat of closing a strategically important and valuable asset.”

Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner raised the plight of GKN Automotive at the summit yesterday (29 June) held by the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders. He said: "It's a disgrace that we're having to battle to save skilled jobs at GKN because the government is sitting on its hands.

“Angela Merkel would not allow Germany to lose these vital trades because that country is stepping up to the green challenge. Yet here, Boris Johnson wants the plaudits, but the truth is his government is doing next to nothing to help renew manufacturing in this country.

"The GKN plant will not be allowed to go to the wall. It must be brought into a ‘national electrification strategy’. We desperately need resilient supply chains, transitioning our plants and skills to manufacture the components of the future."

Since 2018, GKN has been owned by venture capitalists Melrose. Melrose’s purchase of GKN was highly controversial. In response to fears that GKN was going to be asset stripped, Melrose promised shareholders and investors that it would establish a ‘UK manufacturing powerhouse’.