Workers determined to hold Rolls-Royce to terms

After winning a huge victory earlier in the year that saved the historic factory from planned closure, workers from Barnoldswick are again downing tools over fears Rolls-Royce are not sticking to the terms of the winning agreement.

In January, Unite agreed a deal with workers which guaranteed the future of the factory, which produces airplane engine blades. The terms of the deal said that production would continue with a minimum headcount of 350 workers and that a centre of excellence would be built to train workers in new green technologies.

But following a meeting with the union in May, the firm had “refused to provide tangible commitments” over plans to maintain headcount. A total of 17 engineers took strike action in July and a ballot for the site’s entire workforce to join them in the strike closed on 13 August.

“Our members at Barnoldswick are rightly concerned for their futures. They did not take part in nine weeks of strike action for the employer to go back to their original plan in two years’ time,” said Unite officer Ross Quinn.

He said workers were “promised a green new deal, but all we have seen is corporate greenwash” adding that workers want to know “whether a Rolls-Royce guarantee means anything”.