Privateers take over Remploy factory
Thursday 04 October 2012
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EmailA private firm is to take over Chesterfield's Remploy factory in Derbyshire - but the prospective owner is refusing to meet the workforce's GMB union representatives, writes Pete Lazenby.
The Chesterfield factory employs 60 people manufacturing shoes, including specialist footwear it supplies to hospitals for people with ambulatory problems.
Chesterfield's GMB convener James Stribley said a buyer had been found for the factory and named the firm as R-Link.
But shop stewards feared the takeover would mean redundancies after all.
"Local shop stewards met Remploy on Tuesday but the new owner refused to meet the trades union.
"This is the sort of individual we will be dealing with," said Mr Stribley.
"He said it was believed the new owner would derecognise the union.
"I think when he eventually does take over he will go for de-recognition.
"It does not give him much credibility," he said.
The GMB is meeting Chesterfield MP Toby Parkin this week.
The workforce will strike again next week for 10 days, after more than 90 per cent of staff voted for strike action.
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