Tucker Union Rescue Plan Rejected

Union plans to save some jobs at the Tucker Fasteners factory in Birmingham have been rejected by US parent group, Stanley Black and Decker.

In December workers at the Tucker Fastener plant in Perry Barr were told that it had been earmarked for phased closure, completed by March 2012, with production moving to another group plant in Germany.  The firm entered a ninety-day consultation with employees.

Official from the Unite union presented the detailed counter proposal, which entailed relocation to smaller modern facility and retention of 70 of current 200 employees at the plant. Birmingham City Council had started work on bids under the Regional Growth Fund and European Social Fund.

In a statement to the Union’s negotiating committee Stanley Black and Decker said: “As presented, the counter-proposal does not meet the long-term strategy and financial needs of the corporation.”

The Union said it would take the document away for further consideration but was “bitterly disappointed”.