230 jobs going at brakes firm

WORKERS at a Kirklees factory could be heading for strike action.

Members of the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) at TMD Friction in Cleckheaton will be balloted for strike action in a dispute over the planned closure of the site, which will put 230 workers out of a job.

TMD Friction manufacture brake linings for car companies and it is claimed any industrial action would have a serious impact on the company's customers, particularly major manufacturer Toyota.

The firm is the biggest employer in Cleckheaton and the works have been based in the town for 130 years.

It announced on January 8 that it planned to shut the site by the end of July.

The T&G, working with union Amicus, has been in negotiations with the company since that date.

Members have rejected by 100% the company's offer on redundancy.

The T&G will now move to ballot its members for industrial action. A result is expected within the next three weeks.

Bev Clarkson, regional industrial organiser for the T&G, said: "The company are shutting their historic base in Cleckheaton in order to maximise profits and move part of production out of the UK.

"Many of our members are long-serving and deserve better treatment from a company they have devoted many years to.

"The company should honour its agreements with the workforce rather than renege on them to save money.

"The impact of closure will have a devastating effect on employees, who are from the local area. The company should seriously reconsider their offer in the light of the unanimous rejection of it by our members."

The firm declined to comment.