100 JCB staff leave before end of talks

UP TO 100 workers have already left JCB months before the end of a consultation which will see 500 production staff go.

Many of the digger-maker's staff have left the company less than a month after it revealed there would be redundancies at factories in Rocester, Cheadle and Uttoxeter.

And dozens more are expected to go this week as they learn their fate at daily meetings.

The company is carrying out a period of consultation with workers after announcing jobs would be shed following a "rapid decline" in orders.

GMB union convener Gordon Richardson said: "Already there is getting on for 100 that have left.

"Some people wished to go straight away.

"In the Loadall division the majority of people left before the summer shutdown and were paid up until October 11."

He added: "Some people decide they want to go straight away after finding out what the package is, some people might want to take early retirement, which will leave positions open for others to take.

"That becomes another job, and one more person drops off the list.

"From a trade union perspective, we want to look after our members and make sure anyone who leaves goes voluntarily."

JCB, which employs more than 5,500 workers in Staffordshire, announced the job cuts months after posting record results, with pre-tax profits soaring 25 per cent to £187 million.

But the company has since revealed it was expecting to produce 20 per cent less this year than predicted.

Mr Richardson said the union has worked with JCB management to reduce compulsory redundancies.

A JCB spokesman said talks were taking place as part of consultation plans.

The 500 shop floor redundancies will be made across the firm's UK factories in Rocester, Cheadle, Uttoxeter, Rugeley, Foston, near Derby, and Wrexham.

A further 200 roles are under threat in its offices.

The company has seen a fall in demand after a dip in construction activity in the UK and U.S.

Sales in some areas, such as Russia, Brazil and the Middle East, are growing, but not enough to offset the downturn in the firm's core markets.

Cheadle councillor Julie Bull, pictured, said: "Workers have gone back under uncertain conditions.

"Some people have been told they are vulnerable and I don't know if they have had a chance to look at other job opportunities as a back-up. They are being forced to wait to see if their jobs are safe or not.

"And those who have been told they are safe are still feeling vulnerable and upset for their friends and co-workers."

Cheadle councillor Mike Maryon added: "JCB is the main driver for the area. There isn't any other employer of its size.

"All we can do is keep our fingers crossed that the job cut decision can be turned around.

"An added worry is that job cuts could also impact on the area as a whole, particularly Cheadle town centre."