Cummins workers balloted on strike action over plant closure

Unite members in Cumbernauld will vote on whether to strike

Staff at an engineering plant in Cumbernauld are to vote on strike action over a decision to close it.

The Unite union will open a ballot on industrial action on Thursday for about 80 staff members affected at the Cummins UK site.

In October, the company revealed plans to close operations in Cumbernauld, opening a 90-day consultation.

But it announced a week before Christmas, on 17 December, that it was going ahead with the closure.

Unite claims Cummins management have "repeatedly failed to engage" around alternative options to keep the site open.

If the ballot is successful, strike action, and action short of a strike including an overtime ban, is expected to take place from the end of February.

'Viable options'

Unite claims Cummins has refused to enter into negotiations through the conciliation service Acas and has rejected plans brought forward by the Scottish government to diversify the factory's operations.

It said the Scottish government had offered financial assistance to keep the factory open through the development and production of hydrogen power technology.

Unite regional industrial officer, Pat McIlvogue, said: "Unite members have been left with no option but to hold an industrial action ballot. Just before Christmas the company confirmed that it was intent on closing the factory despite a number of viable options being on the table to keep the site open.

"Over the last few days the company have refused point blank to engage with Unite in talks through Acas and they have also rejected the Scottish government's efforts to diversify the factory's operations even with financial assistance.

The ballot will affect about 80 staff at Cummins

"Unite members are prepared to take all action necessary to secure some form of justice from this callous company."

The decision to consider closure was blamed on increasingly challenging global economic conditions.

Cummins also said the facility required a £3m investment.

The company specialises in the distribution of engines and generators for various industries.

It is understood the option to produce hydrogen cells at the plant was rejected by Cummins on the basis that it was a long term plan which could not avert the closure of the site.

Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes said: "The ballot on industrial action is a matter for the Cummins workforce.

"I have spoken regularly with Cummins management and pressed them to consider alternative options to closure. I also requested an extension to the consultation period in order for these proposals to be further explored, which could potentially allow the site to remain open and jobs to be retained.

"Earlier this week, I wrote to Cummins once again seeking a meeting with senior management at the earliest opportunity. This was so that I could again request that Cummins put on hold the closure of the site until all the alternative options were adequately considered. Cummins responded stating that the decision was final."

She said that the government's Partnership Action for Continuing Employment initiative would stand ready to assist any employees who may be facing redundancy.

No one at Cummins UK was available to comment.

But a spokesman told the BBC in October: "We fully recognise today's announcement brings uncertainty, but we will provide all the support we can to minimise the impact on our employees, their families, our suppliers and the local community."

"If a decision is taken to close this facility, it will be extremely difficult, but in the face of challenging economic circumstances we must consider all options to improve the efficiency of our operations in order to offer industry leading service to our customers."