JCB workers agree flexible hours to safeguard 915 jobs
A GROUP of ponies that were rehomed after their field near Little Eaton kept flooding are thriving in their new lives.
All 11 of the animals living in a field off the A38 were rescued last November after concerns were raised about their safety.
The field they were living in regularly flooded and people were worried the waterlogged land did not provide enough for them to eat.
Five of the animals were taken on by local horse owner Ruth Darby while the others were collected by bailiffs a few days later.
Ruth said the five horses – named Blackey, Paddy, Gerald, Percy and Louis – had settled well into their new lives at her Breadsall farm.
Since their arrival last November, Blackey and Percy have been rehomed at a “big farm” with another family close to Buxton.
Ruth said: “Percy and Blackey have been rehomed together with a
MORE than 900 jobs have been safeguarded after JCB workers voted in favour of new working arrangements.
The digger giant, the headquarters of which is in Rocester, previously said that 950 staff were set to be axed after a 50% downturn in orders during the coronavirus pandemic. Those workers are still being laid off.
But now JCB has reached the agreement with the GMB Union to save a further 915 hourly paid shopfloor positions across its UK factories.
Workers agreed the temporary really nice family. They send me pictures of how they’re doing.
“I’ve got one of them, Gerald. He is being ridden and is going to do a show in a couple of weeks. He’s absolutely marvellous.
“He’ll do whatever you ask him to and I think he loves the attention, I’m really glad I chose to keep him.” arrangement in a vote on Friday to save their jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The new arrangements include a system of banking hours and extending shift patterns to include earlier starts and later finish times. Employees will also be guaranteed 39 hours’
Gerald is the oldest of the horse group at roughly 10 years old, according to Ruth, while the two youngest are Louis and Paddy, around 18 months old.
While the three of them remain with Ruth at her farm, they are at different stages of their growth and training process. basic contractual pay in any one week.
The ballot, which was conducted at the JCB Cabs factory in Uttoxeter, was overseen by independent representatives.
It will be followed by further discussions between GMB senior representatives found new homes near Buxton, while Louis, below left, and Paddy, below centre, are not yet ready to be rehomed.
The 55-year-old said because the pair are “so young” and have not had much training, their behaviour is “a bit more feral”.
She said: “We have given them all a bath and that’s been a bit of a struggle. Gerald loves it but the others weren’t too keen.
“They are a bit feral, those two and JCB management.
JCB chief executive Graeme Macdonald said: “I applaud the decision of employees for voting in favour of a new temporary collective agreement in the GMB ballot.
“It is a step in the right direction as we work together to navigate a way through the severe disruption the business is facing as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.”
Stuart Harrison, GMB organiser said: “Our members have saved more than 900 jobs by voting to accept the new flexible working proposal.
“Now is when the hard work starts. We’ll be working with JCB to ensure this new agreement is implemented [Paddy and Louis] in the field, they rear up against each other and have rough play fights.”
Ruth added that it could be a another year or two before Paddy and Louis are ready to be rehomed.
However, she said little Gerald would have a “home for life” on her farm, where he will help children compete in shows and learn to ride.
She said: “He’s made friends with a rescue that I had from a few years ago. They’re both of the same age so they stay together.
“Every time you come into the barn, Gerald whinnies at you. He’s such a happy chappy.”
When they arrived at her home, Ruth said all the horses were microchipped, given passports and had their hooves treated. equally and fairly across all JCB sites.
“Thanks to all GMB members who took part and the senior reps who have been a credit to the union with their hard work and diligence.”
The new working arrangements will be reviewed no later than December 31 and may be extended for a further period.
Meanwhile, JCB is currently in talks with office staff across its UK plants over plans to axe 950 jobs as a result of coronavirus.
The move comes after the company revealed that demand for its machines has fallen by half as a result of the pandemic.
The 45-day consultation period is expected to end on June 30.