More Rolls-Royce Barnoldswick strikes announced as company set to be quizzed by MPs over offshoring plans

The daily strikes, which began earlier this month, will now continue until December 24th as the company prepares to meet with ministers and cross-party MPs this week to discuss the plans to end blade production at the factory, which Rolls-Royce has owned since 1943.

In August, Rolls-Royce announced that it was intent on offshoring the production of its Trent Engine blades to a factory in Singapore.

The firm currently has two adjoining production units in the town – Bankfield and Ghyll Brow – employing around 520 employees.

The proposals would see a reduction in activities at the Bankfield site, a move that would impact approximately 350 employees

Finishing inspectors, machinists, electricians and instrumentation workers will stage a series of November and December walk outs over the proposals.

Unite has consistently made clear that Rolls-Royce could avoid industrial action by either cancelling its plans to offshore the work to Singapore or by ensuring the viability of Barnoldswick by introducing similar work and guaranteeing comparable employment levels.

The striking workers have seen an outpouring of support in Barnoldswick, where Rolls-Royce is the biggest employer. Local politicians and both Labour and Tory MPs have also condemned Rolls-Royce’s plans.

Unite, as well as supportive MPs, have been lobbying the government to make any further support for Rolls-Royce conditional on the jobs remaining in the UK.

Unite regional officer Ross Quinn said: “Rolls-Royce is behaving appallingly and should hang its head in shame. These highly skilled jobs are more crucial than ever and for them to be shipped abroad will be devastating for the 350 workers and their families, Barnoldswick and the UK’s manufacturing base as a whole.

"To do so while taking government handouts meant to sustain the nation’s economy through the pandemic is beyond the pale.

“The striking workers have the full support of their community and will not rest until Rolls-Royce reverses these profoundly damaging plans, which, if enacted, will sound the death knell for nearly eight decades of Rolls-Royce manufacturing in Barnoldswick.

“This week, the company will be meeting with ministers and MPs to discuss the proposals. Given the criticism of Rolls-Royce’s actions from across the political divide, Unite is in no doubt that the company’s leadership will be urged to reconsider its plans by MPs in attendance.

"If Rolls-Royce refuses, the government must make any further support conditional on the jobs staying in Barnoldswick.”

A spokesman for Rolls-Royce said: “We are disappointed to receive notice of additional strike action in Barnoldswick and remain committed to meaningful consultation with employee representatives and trade unions on the future of the site, which we are not planning to close.

"While we are proposing that some work will no longer take place at the site, we are also proposing that our people in Barnoldswick will play an important role in developing fan blades for our next-generation jet engines, keeping the UK at the cutting-edge of aerospace technology.

"We ask them to continue working with us as we deal with the impact of the pandemic on our business.”