Rolls-Royce mulls moving England factory to Singapore, sparking workers’ strike
- The facility employs 550 workers but 350 roles are at risk should Rolls-Royce move its fan blade activities to Asia
- The group’s finances have been ravaged by plunging demand as the deadly Covid-19 pandemic sparks an air transport crisis
Staff at a factory in northwest England run by engines maker Rolls-Royce on Friday began a three-week strike over the possible relocation of operations to Singapore, the British aerospace giant confirmed.
The industrial action at the facility, in the town of Barnoldswick, Lancashire, is expected to last until November 27, the Unite trade union said separately.
“We are working hard to mitigate any risk that this will have to our customers,” a Rolls spokeswoman said.
The facility employs 550 workers but 350 roles are at risk should Rolls-Royce move its fan blade activities to Asia.
The group’s finances have been ravaged by plunging demand as the deadly Covid-19 pandemic sparks an air transport crisis.
“In May 2020 we announced a major restructure of our business because of the impact of the pandemic on aviation,” the spokeswoman said on Friday. “We also announced a strategic review of our global facilities – and this (Barnoldswick) proposal is part of that review.”