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From The Socialist newspaper, 20 January 2021
Deal secures Rolls-Royce Barnoldswick factory future following strike action
Rolls-Royce manufactures jet engines, photo USAF/Rick-Goodfriend/CC (Click to enlarge)
Socialist Party reporters
The future of the Rolls-Royce factory in Barnoldswick, Lancashire, and its 350 jobs has been secured after a deal was agreed between the workers' union Unite and the company. It was supported overwhelmingly by the workers and follows nine weeks of determined strike action.
The future of the factory was thrown into doubt last summer, after Rolls-Royce announced that it was transferring the production of its jet engine blade work to Singapore. Unite members voted for strike action and launched a campaign to save the Barnoldswick site.
The strikes, which received widespread solidarity from the community and trade union movement, began on 6 November 2020 and ran until Christmas Eve. Workers then returned to the picket lines at the start of 2021.
The deal struck by Unite includes:
- A ten-year manufacturing guarantee for the site
- A guaranteed minimum headcount of 350 workers
- The creation of a 'centre of excellence' training school supporting the development and manufacture of zero-carbon technologies and advanced manufacturing excellence
A guarantee of a two-year no-compulsory redundancy agreement to facilitate discussions on a plan to develop advanced manufacturing work, supporting carbon-free energy generation, along with synthetic fuels and green technologies
Ross Quinn, the Unite regional officer with responsibility for Barnoldswick, says: "When many could be forgiven for thinking there was nothing that could be done, our Unite reps led these workers and the town of Barnoldswick and collectively they stood as one to say 'no way'.
"They united, taking to the picket line in all weathers, to fight back against closure, and won. Today's news is their victory and it is 100% deserved."
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In The Socialist 20 January 2021:
News
Make the super-rich pay, not the poorest
Bosses profit out of 'starvation' food parcels
Teachers: On the front line, in their own words
Peace and Justice Project - no way forward for socialism
Millionaire tendency regains control of Scottish Labour
Covid-19
The Tory blame game: scapegoating the working class - 100% pay for all now
Covid: Bosses chase profit and put workers in danger
Vaccine confidence - a worker's response
Life in lockdown - being home from school when you're poor is hard
NHS
Black Lives Matter
Police use Covid laws to intimidate BLM protesters
New Cross Gate fire 40 years ago
International News
USA in crisis - the need for a socialist alternative
Trump Twitter ban: only independent workers' voice can defeat right
Workplace
PCS Broad Left Network conference
Rolls-Royce Barnoldswick factory future secured following strike action
Morrisons - £10/hr headline hides divisive pay offer
A day in the life of an agency worker
Students
Plymouth rent strike continues
Scrap fees, refund rents and pay a living grant
Campaigns
London's May elections: Tories and Labour's Khan both vying to slash public services
Socialist Party national women's meeting
Why I joined the Socialist Party
Christmas Crossword Competition
Readers' Opinion
Books that inspired me: The Road to Wigan Pier
Obituary
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