GMB North West & Irish Region
22 January 2013

Officials of GMB and Unite Trade-Unions representing workers at Ineos Chlor Vinyls Runcorn have written to the company expressing concern about potential redundancies and what they see as misleading media statements about job losses. The company announced the closure of its VCM and PVC plants last Thursday following the reduction in demand for PVC. They said at the time that no jobs would be lost as affected employees would be offered alternative roles at the site.

 
GMB Senior Organiser Terry Mellor said "The announcement last week came as a shock to our members at Runcorn, particularly as it came so soon after changes to the pension scheme that were meant to control costs, reduce risk and help secure the future of the site. And despite reports of no job losses, the fact is the company are planning to cut the workforce by around 130 and by whatever means that is achieved there will be 130 less jobs at the Runcorn site when this exercise is over. That's 130 jobs this area can ill afford to lose, especially in the current economic climate and at a time of high unemployment. We are seeking urgent meetings with the company to discuss the situation further”.