Jordan O'BrienThe UK’s fourth largest union, GMB, has hit out at audio manufacturer Tannoy over its plans to relocate its manufacturing base to a new facility in Scotland.
In a letter obtained by CE Pro Europe, GMB Scotland has urged Tannoy’s parent, Music Group, to ‘come clean for Christmas’ over its future plan for Scottish workers.
Tannoy confirmed that it was closing its headquarters in Coatbridge, Scotland, earlier this year – although stated at the time that it planned to relocate to a new plant following a large investment from Music Group.
GMB Scotland says that despite those claims, the company have had no further consultations with the workforce – with many staff members now being urged to sign individual redundancy settlements by January 13.
The union makes further claims that plant management have been placed on ‘gardening leave’ while their email access has also been blocked.
GMB Scotland Organiser Ude Adigwe said: “Uli Behringer has been leading his workers and the media up the garden path over his real intentions for Tannoy’s Scottish operations.
“The self-styled ‘chief disrupter’ is stonewalling his employees and instead of addressing their concerns demoralised workers now have to forward questions concerning their futures to an HQ call centre in Manila.
“With local management having been effectively routed by Behringer, it looks like the Coatbridge plant is simply being run-down ahead of March with no real prospect of a new site.
“The least he can do for this highly skilled and loyal workforce is to come clean for Christmas.”
The Coatbridge HQ is still set to close on March 31, 2017. CE Pro Europe has contacted Tannoy for further comment.