Gardner sits it out
Page 6
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A NUMBER of Gardner Engines' workforce are still occupying the company's factory at Eccles, near Manchester, and have their heels "dug in for the winter", according to works convenor Tom Macafee.
The workers started their sit-in on October 10 in protest at a planned programme of 590 redundancies (CM, October 25). Since then the management has been forced to use offices about a mile away from the factory and have only been allowed into the factory to collect telexes and to carry out safety checks (some of the workers have carried at minor repairs when needed).
But the company seems unperturbed and sent out the 590 redundancy notices two weeks ago as well as questionnaires on whether the workforce wants a secret ballot. All replies will be opened in the presence of an independent witness.
Mr Macafee's feeling towards a secret ballot is not favourable and he has accused the company of using threatening tactics.
"The militants are getting more militant and are getting hardened to the intimidation," he said.
As CM went to press, we were unable to contact a Gardner Engines spokesman.