Strike by disabled workers ‘wins solid support’

Thousands of staff at 54 Remploy factories across Britain staged the first of two 24-hour walkouts as part of a campaign to keep the sites open.

Half the factories will close by the end of the year, while others face an uncertain future or closure next year under Government plans.

Ministers have argued that the factories are loss-making, and money would be better spent helping individuals find jobs elsewhere.

Unite national officer Sally Kosky said: “We have received reports from across the country that the strike is solid and is receiving massive support from the public, as well as from disability groups and other trade unions.”

She called for a rethink over the closures and added: “The first wave of factory closures by the end of the year will see about 1,700 disabled workers thrown on to the dole queue, at a time when those out of work for more than two years is at its worst since 1997.”

GMB official Phil Davies said: “The Government’s actions smack of a callousness that makes a sham of its ‘we are all in this together’ mantra.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “We’re disappointed that the unions are taking strike action which will do nothing to secure the future jobs of Remploy staff.”