300 jobs at risk as Brush tells workers it’s shutting down
CLOSURE PLAN ‘A CRUSHING BLOW’ FOR WORKFORCE AND WHOLE TOWN
BRUSH Traction in Loughborough is set to be shut down with the loss of some 300 jobs.
Workers at the historic plant, in Meadow Lane, were informed of the decision on Friday.
It is understood the site, established in 1865 as The Falcon Works, could close by Christmas with American owner Wabtec tranferring work to other plants.
The Unite union has described the decision as a “crushing blow” for the workforce and Loughborough as a whole.
SOME 300 jobs are at risk from the planned closure of a Leicestershire train manufacturing plant.
Brush Traction in Loughborough is set to be shut down by its American parent company.
Staff at the historic plant, in the town’s Meadow Lane, were informed of the decision on Friday.
Brush Traction’s owner, Pittsburgh-Wabtec have been contacted for comment – but understands the site, established in 1865 as The Falcon Works, could close by Christmas with its work being transferred to other plants.
The Unite union has 100 members at the Loughborough factory and is in redundancy consultations with company managers.
It has described the decision as a “crushing blow” for the workforce and the town as a whole.
Unite said the company said reducing volumes of work made the Loughborough operation unsuitable.
Unite regional officer Lakhy Mahal said: “Wabtec’s announcement that it is planning to shut the historic Falcon Works is a crushing blow to the workforce and to the local area.
“Unite is in consultation with the company and is fighting to ensure that our members are offered alternative employment at other sites, if that is what they want.
“If it isn’t, we will be negotiating for them to receive the best redundancy packages possible.
“Unite will also be putting together a programme of support for members to help them navigate what is an extremely difficult time.”
‘HUGE WORRY’
Loughborough MP Jane Hunt said: “My thoughts are with the employees of Brush Traction whose jobs have been placed under threat.
“After what has already been an extremely difficult year, to face redundancy at a time when the jobs market is uncertain will no doubt be a huge worry.
“My concern is for the families of the employees, many of whom live in Loughborough, who face uncertainty in the weeks ahead.
“I was only made aware of what was to happen shortly before the official announcement.
“My understanding is that 220 permanent employees are affected, as well as 70 con contractors, who are all loc located at the Loughborough ou site.
““I have contawcted the go government department an and also fellow MPs with sim similar businesses in their constituencies co to see if other ot opportunities are available av elsewhere. “I would urge anyone who is aware of similar openings to get in touch with w me and I will ensure that th this information is passed on to the constituents involved.
“Opportunities are available for anyone wanting to retrain or add to their skills, through the new Careers and Enterprise Hub which has opened up in Loughborough, as well as the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, but my hope is that employees can stay in the industry sector that they enjoy and that is what I am fighting for.”
The Rail Business UK website reported a Wabtec spokesman as saying: “Decisions like this are never easy but over the past few years our site has experienced reduced volume and this decrease is no longer sustainable.
“The decision to close the plant would help to simplify and optimise the company’s manufacturing footprint in today’s cyclical environment, as well as better position Wabtec for success.”
Wabtec’s announcement that it is planning to shut the historic Falcon Works is a crushing blow to the workforce and to the local area. Unite