Union calls on Stormont to safeguard under-threat Larne Caterpillar jobs

The union was responding to Caterpillar’s announcement it is opening a consultation process for the restructuring of its electric power division operations in Northern Ireland. Read here

George Brash, Unite regional officer, said: “This announcement comes as devastating news to the Caterpillar workforce. In the midst of the current downturn, the news comes as a severe blow to Northern Ireland manufacturing and the wider economy – most especially that in the Larne area.

“Caterpillar has informed the union of up to 700 job losses across its sites the bulk of which are at shop-floor level and at the product support and logistics division (PSLD) in Larne as well as among management and administrative staff working elsewhere. Bosses admit that this is not Covid-related but part of a wider restructuring.”

The union said it was its understanding that some of the production being lost “is to be outsourced to India”.

Responding to the latter claim, a Caterpillar spokesperson said: “The contemplated actions are part of the company’s ongoing plans to better utilise existing capacity and improve cost competitiveness. It is currently contemplated to transfer standard genset packaging from Larne to other Caterpillar facilities. The Caterpillar Larne facility will continue to manufacture customised genset solutions for key account customers.”

Unite added it will be meeting workplace representatives this afternoon (Thursday) to discuss their next steps.

Mr Brash continued: “Unite will seek to use the minimum 90-day consultation period to fight to defend these jobs and the important skill base they represent. It is vital that we retain as much of this productive capacity as possible. These are very highly-skilled manufacturing jobs and they will not be easily recovered.

“It is vital that the Stormont Executive respond to the crisis in our manufacturing sector. They need to intervene with every political and economic lever at their control to safeguard jobs and sustain manufacturing capacity – as well as developing the manufacturing jobs for the future.”

Meanwhile, East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson said he will be seeking to meet with the company.

The Alliance representative said: “This is an absolutely devastating blow for the local area and one which has come completely out of the blue this morning. 2020 has already brought enough worry and concern for local families, without the news of job loses this close to Christmas.

“I am seeking an urgent meeting with the management of Caterpillar today to try and assess why this decision has been so suddenly announced and if anything further can be done.

“However, this isn’t just a blow for those immediately affected, but for all those with links to the site in Larne and the wider local economy. There are certainly challenging times ahead.”

UUP MLA John Stewart stated: “These loses will have huge economic impact on Larne, East Antrim and across Northern Ireland via the business supply chain.

“It is vital that the Economy Minster Diane Dodds/Invest NI meets with senior management as soon as possible to look at what can be done to save them. It is also vital that Mid and East Antrim Manufacturing Task Force steps up to address the matter, liaise with the company and work with employees to provide support and employment and new training opportunities.”

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