TRW faces union anger over plant

Factory closure was announced last month

Unions have accused automotive supplier TRW of “cynicism”, after the company allegedly duplicated production from its Resolven plant in Wales at another facility in Europe, while discussions aimed at saving the factory were progressing.

The closure of the TRW factory, which supplies parts to Land Rover, was announced late last month with the loss of 200 jobs after negotiations to save the plant with the trade union Unite failed.

The plant’s local Unite shop stewards said they had been in discussions with management to explore ways of reducing overheads to attract further work prior to the announcement of the factory’s closure. Andy Richards, Unite Wales regional secretary, said: “The talks had achieved a positive response from the workforce and the local authority.

“Our local officials put forward proposals, which were supported by the Neath Port Talbot local authority, which reduced overhead costs significantly. During this process we discovered that the company was supplying parts to Land Rover, which should have been built in Resolven, from another European plant.

“Upon confronting the company with this, it was revealed that during the time we were in talks at Resolven, the company had set up duplicate production at its other European plants. This is a glaring example of the need for legislation to prevent the UK from being a soft touch for unscrupulous employers.”

TRW was unavailable for comment as PE went to press.