By Sarah Robinson

Last updated at 16:52, Thursday, 19 July 2012

Angry workers at Cleator Moor’s Remploy factory are on the picket line today (Thursday) to protest against the government’s decision to close it.

Seven staff and a GMB organiser have been on strike since 7am this morning, standing outside the factory, which employs disabled workers, with banners and flags.

Mary Benn, said: “I think the government thought we’d just take the closure sitting down. We are standing here today to show that we are not stupid and we’re putting up a fight.”

The closure, which is set to take place between August and December, means 15 people at the Leconfield Industrial Estate site will lose their jobs – and many fear they will not find alternative work.

Today is the first of two 24-hour strikes at 54 Remploy sites around the country where workers at showing their disgust at the closures. It follows the government announcement last week that the factory was one of 27 sites around the country to shut.

Mary said: “There are some people who have been working here for more than 30 years.

“Most have not worked anywhere else and most people, even though they are disabled, have not had many days off sick. We have all worked hard. It’s frustrating that the government now wants the factory to close. It’s not as if we’re not doing anything. We are just as busy as ever.”

Angela Nicholson, from Mill Hill, has worked at the site for 21 years.

She said: “It’s ridiculous. This is not just a workplace, we are friends as well as colleagues. We have been here such a long time, it feels more than a family.”

Norman Finley, union representative, said: “We are just hoping for the best when we leave. We don’t know what jobs there are.”

Mark Fenwick, who has worked at the site for more than 30 years, said: “During the Falklands we were doing all the life saving suits for the MoD. Now we’re making all sorts from tunics to educational toys.”

Kevin Young, regional organiser for the GMB, said: “It’s absolutely disgraceful that the coalition government have forced disabled workers to take such drastic action. This strike is showing that the workers are unhappy about the factory closing.”

The decision to close the sites follows an independent review into disability employment. The Sayce Report looked at supporting disabled people through mainstream employment rather than people working for employers like Remploy.

A second strike is set to take place next Thursday and an overtime ban will continue indefinitely.

First published at 11:24, Thursday, 19 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk