Remploy boss may visit factory

Oct 16 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

THE chief executive of Remploy may be invited to Wirral to see for himself the work of one of the company’s factories which has been threatened with closure.

The Central Cutting Unit in Wallasey had been earmarked for job losses and councillors could now demand chief executive Bob Warner see the work done there and meet staff.

The invitation, from Wirral Borough Council, will be voted upon by councillors, following a special debate called by councillors Leah Fraser and Chris Blakeley.

The councillors have also called for the authority to buy more from the local Remploy factory, which employs 43 disabled people.

Cllr Leah Fraser said: “It’s no use just protesting about these job cuts, it’s important that we look to increase the work of Remploy to guarantee a long-term future for the CCU in Wallasey.

Last month Remploy’s managers were stripped of the power to close any of its threatened Mersey factories.

Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain stepped in to take the sting out of the increasingly bitter conflict by imposing a Government veto on any closures.