Plan to cut factory workers hours

Perkins Engines blamed a fall in demand for their products

A major manufacturer in Peterborough is planning to cut the weekly hours of 700 of its workers because of a fall in demand for its diesel engines.

The announcement by Perkins Engines comes in the same week that another 450 of its workforce lost their jobs.

A company spokeswoman said the cut from 39 to 35 hours a week would affect a third of its 2,200 factory staff.

Unite union representative Tony Ellingford said workers had no alternative but to agree to the plans.

Two weeks ago 78 workers were laid off at the company's factory in Stafford.

'Ongoing consultation'

A Perkins spokesperson said: "We are currently working hard to minimise the need for compulsory redundancies by fully investigating a variety of ways in which we can reduce costs.

"One of several options put forward is a reduction in the working week.

"These alternatives, which currently only apply to our hourly paid staff, are the subject of ongoing consultation with employees and their representatives."

Mr Ellingford said: "It's bad enough for people who've lost night shift premiums or shift premiums and clearly overtime is not an option now."

He said the 700 workers affected had already "taken a hit" and said it was difficult to ask people in those positions to lose another four hours.