Union hopeful over JCB decisions

A 30-day consultation period started on Monday

A union has said it hopes there will be no compulsory redundancies after digger maker JCB revealed 90 people may lose their jobs or be redeployed.

Action at three Staffordshire factories is being considered as a result of the credit crunch, the company has said.

It has said it aims to minimise the risk of redundancy by releasing agency workers and redeploying JCB employees.

Mark Bergman, from the GMB, said it has an agreement in which a slowdown in one area can lead to staff going elsewhere.

'Be prepared'

The factories affected are based in Cheadle, Uttoxeter and Rugeley.

Mr Bergman said: "We have an agreement with the company that wherever possible, if there is a slowdown in one area, that the staff will be redeployed to other areas where they're still busy.

"JCB are looking to try and minimise it, rather than waiting until things suddenly catch them unawares (and) be prepared for it.

"This is why they're looking at redeploying approximately 90 staff elsewhere within the company."

The firm has said it aims to minimise the risk of redundancy by releasing agency workers and redeploying JCB employees.

A 30-day consultation period started on Monday.