Following statements by GE that it intends to cut up to 25 per cent of its workforce within its aviation arm in the UK, Unite has stated its determination to robustly support its members working at the GE Aviations site in Nantgarw, South Wales.

Senior Unite Representatives at the Nantgarw site met with management yesterday as part of ongoing consultations regarding the effect that the Covid19 pandemic is having on GE Aviation.

A large proportion of the Nantgarw workforce are already furloughed following agreements made with Unite in early April. Further to those measures which resulted from uncertainty over future work-streams, a dialogue has now opened with the company regarding a Voluntary Severance Scheme.

Andy McDowall Unite Wales Regional Officer commented;

“Unite is working tirelessly for our members during this worrying period for the workforce at Nantgarw. The UK aviation industry is under enormous pressure at present due the decline in air travel and its knock on effects for the sector. Whilst we understand the tremendous difficulties GE is facing, we are calling upon them to refrain from making rash decisions that could hinder its ability to bounce back and ramp up production once this crisis is over.

“Our immediate priority for our members at Nantgarw is to ensure that we absolutely avoid compulsory redundancies at the site. We are working in a constructive manner with GE around various cost saving measures to ensure that absolutely no one leaves the business without consenting to it. GE is an anchor company within Wales and it is vitally important that it remains as a cornerstone of the Welsh economy post-Covid 19.”