Ex-workers protest over agency staff

ANGRY factory workers made redundant six days ago have staged a protest against their former employer for bringing in agency staff to replace them.

Around 70 former workers formed a picket line outside TRW in Resolven yesterday morning.

They were furious at TRW which has confirmed it has taken on contractors to "support some ongoing customer projects".

Last Friday there were more than 200 job losses when the plant closed, with work being transferred to a sister plant in Germany.

Upset

Unite union convener for TRW Resolven, Andrew James, said workers had been asked to stay on but refused to do so. He said: "We were not prepared to work on as we wanted some incentive.

"Now they have gone and taken on agency workers. Everyone feels very upset about it."

The protest began at 7.30am, after which time a couple of agency workers turned up to the plant, but were told to go home.

It is not known how many have been hired and when they will return to the factory.

Mike Bowell, who has walked to work from Resolven for the past 22 years, said: "You don't treat people like this.

"I am quite annoyed and I feel betrayed. We were a family factory, but unfortunately it has gone bitter and sour with the way they have been handling it."

AM for South Wales West, Bethan Jenkins, who asked questions about TRW Resolven in the Senedd yesterday, said: "This is despicable — a real two fingers to the workforce who have never done anything except work diligently and professionally for TRW.

Regrettable

"Today, my thoughts are with the workers."

TRW spokeswoman Lynette Jackson said: "We offered all employees the opportunity for a further four weeks of work to support some ongoing customer projects.

"The workforce declined our offer, so all staff contracts ceased last Friday. In order to support our customers, we have had to hire some contractors.

"This will be for a very limited period. It would have been our preference to have retained some employees for this work, but we have to take all necessary steps to manage the requirements of our customers. As we've said before, the plant closure was a regrettable, but necessary business decision."

The demonstration will continue today outside the plant from 7.30am.

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503366/s/12c5d02a/l/0L0Sthisissouthwales0O0Cnews0CEx0Eworkers0Eprotest0Eagency0Estaff0Carticle0E32346380Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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