JCB staff in fear of further job losses

JCB workers claim they have been “hoodwinked” following 400 more job cuts last week.

The lay-offs come less than a month after the GMB union balloted staff to reduce weekly working hours in a bid to save 300 workers from redundancy.

GMB works convenor Gordon Richardson said workers voiced their frustration following the latest announcement.

He said: “Some feel to a certain extent that they have been hoodwinked.

“We told our members we can’t guarantee anything. The company is hoping for an upturn to start in April and that is why it is keeping the core workforce on board. But who knows after that. JCB has given us no guarantees and they have never given us any guarantees at any stage in this process.”

JCB Chief Executive Officer Matthew Taylor said: “All job losses are regrettable but we have jointly saved 668 jobs from more than 1,240 that would otherwise have been at risk.”