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Jobs axe hits steel workers
Around 50 jobs are to go at Sheffield forging plant Firth Rixson – just days after stainless steel giant Outokumpu announced the loss of 110 jobs.
Staff at Firth Rixson Forgings have been told "up to 60 jobs" will be cut from the 156-strong workforce at the Meadowhall site.
Workers have received letters saying 42 staff from the shopfloor must go, and that another five workers from the offices will lose their jobs.
One employee facing the axe said every member of staff has been told they must reapply for their own jobs and, once the process is complete, 47 workers will go.
"It's scandalous the way we're being treated," he said. "Morale has never been so low. There are people there who have worked at Firth Rixson for over 30 years.
"If I lose my job I don't know how I will pay the mortgage. There are no other jobs out there like this."
Another worker at the plant said: "Morale is low. People don't know where to go if they lose their job. There's nothing else about at the moment. The company has changed a lot of the job specs, and told people on the shop floor to reapply for their jobs.
"But at least the management have been open with us. They've told us which jobs are at risk, and why."
The decision follows the company's plan to close the plant for a month this summer. A Firth Rixson spokesman confirmed the cuts would hit workers on the shopfloor most heavily.
"Our business is in a difficult situation as directed by global economic conditions," he said. "Where possible the company has mitigated the need to restructure the business through the planned lay- off periods across the site.
"Given our order book and the continued fluctuation in work, it may be necessary to reduce our current workforce by 40 to 60 roles in total.
"Ultimately we will always try to do what is right for our business and our employees."
Sheffield Central MP Richard Caborn called for a "constructive dialogue" between the union and the company.
"This news is of real concern," he said. "We need to ensure the skills are not lost so that when we come out of this recession we have the labour force to carry on.
"The manufacturing downturn is not as deep-set as that in the financial industry – it will recover, and it is important to maintain the skills that support it."
The company supplies the aerospace, transport and energy sectors and has maintained its share of the forging market. But big manufacturing customers, particularly in the USA, have cut orders to cope with the downturn.
Consultations between workers' representatives and company officials are in their early stages as union officers try to limit the cuts. The final numbers will be announced after May 15.
Doug Patterson, regional officer with Unite the Union, said: "Although orders are down, the firm has retained its market share. When the economy recovers they should be well placed, but will need to keep their skill base."
Firth Rixson was bought by a US private equity company in November 2007 for 945 million – Yorkshire's largest ever buy-out.
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