By Sarah Robinson

Published at 11:08, Thursday, 26 July 2012

A SECOND 24-hour strike is set to take place today by Remploy workers at Cleator Moor.

protest: Staff outside Remploy factory on Thursday last week

It follows the success of a strike last week, when staff took to the picket lines to protest against the government’s decision to close it.

Armed with banners and flags, the angry workers spoke about their disgust at the loss of 15 jobs at the factory.

Mary Benn, a Remploy worker, 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.”

Last week’s strike involved all 54 Remploy sites around the country.

It followed the government announcement that the Cleator Moor factory is one of 27 sites to shut.

Mrs Benn said: “There are some people who have been working here for more than 30 years. Most of them have not worked anywhere else and most people, even though they are disabled, have not had many days off sick.”

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.”

Kevin Young, regional organiser for the GMB, the union representing the affected workers, 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.

Mr Young said: “While the GMB are not against disabled people working in mainstream employment, our research shows that a large percentage of people who leave Remploy don’t find work.

“The jobs market is very aggressive and there are very few jobs available anyway. The Sayce report is sign-posting these Remploy workers to a life time of living on benefits and not finding employment.”

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk