Politicians and Unite pledge to ‘fight on’ in effort to save Caterpillar jobs

The US manufacturing giant said the job losses – expected to take place over the next 18 months – will form part of the company’s plan to improve cost competitiveness.

Its decision is said to be unrelated to Brexit or the Covid-19 pandemic. The company employs around 1,600 people in Northern Ireland.

Joe Creed, vice-president of Caterpillar’s Electric Power Division, said: “We recognise that what we are considering is difficult for our employees, their families and the community. We do not take these contemplations lightly; however, we must plan for future business needs to be competitive.”

Mid and East Antrim Council has said it will provide its full support to all those impacted, and that the council has a good track record of “continuing to fight,” to save jobs, “even when people think it’s over.”

Mayor Peter Johnston said: “We will continue to work closely, through our Manufacturing Taskforce and our senior elected representatives, and we reiterate our support for all those who face... an uncertain future.

“This borough has a track record of continuing to fight, even when people think it’s over, and we have helped companies to remain open or seek alternatives, including most recently Wrightbus, the Kilroot and Ballylumford power stations, and the Michelin site. We will continue with this mindset in relation to these roles at Caterpillar.”

In a joint DUP statement, MP Sammy Wilson and MLAs Gordon Lyons and David Hilditch said: “We will be raising these job losses at Westminster, Assembly and local government level to ensure that all the necessary information and support which employees deserve is provided to them.

“Given the global nature of Caterpillar, it is also important that Invest NI engage directly with the company to identify if there are any circumstances were jobs can be retained or if jobs from within the company could be identified and brought to the Larne site.”

Ulster Unionist MLA John Stewart called on Economy Minister Diane Dodds to meet with senior Caterpillar managers “to see what can be done to mitigate the losses,” and said a motion was being brought before the Assembly on Monday, calling on the minister “to produce the long-overdue manufacturing strategy to help the long-term recovery of, and growth within the sector”.

Stewart Dickson MLA also said a strategy was urgently needed to protect manufacturing jobs in Northern Ireland.

“I am seeking an urgent meeting with the management of Caterpillar today to try and assess why this decision has been so suddenly announced and if anything further can be done,” he said.

The Alliance representative added: “I will also be meeting the economy minister as soon as possible to ensure adequate support and aid in seeking other employment is in place for those who are today struggling to come to terms with this news.”

The Unite union said Stormont must act urgently to safeguard the hundreds of “vital manufacturing jobs” being lost in Northern Ireland as a result of the Caterpillar restructuring exercise.

The union described Thursday’s announcement as a “scandalous” profit grab at the expense of workers in the Larne area and further afield.

Unite said Stormont must use “all available economic and political levers” to protect the jobs at risk.

George Brash, Unite Regional Officer George Brash said: “This announcement comes as devastating news to the Caterpillar workforce.

“In the midst of the current downturn, the news comes as a severe blow to Northern Ireland manufacturing and the wider economy – most especially that in the Larne area.

“Caterpillar has informed the union of up to 700 job-losses across its sites the bulk of which are at shop-floor level and at the Product Support & Logistics Division (PSLD) in Larne as well as among management and administrative staff working elsewhere.

“Bosses admit that this is not Covid-related but part of a wider restructuring.”

Mr Brash said Unite will use the consultation period to “fight to defend these jobs,” and the skill base they represent, and added: “This is a scandalous decision geared only to increase further the company’s corporate profits.

“We understand that much of the production being lost is to be outsourced to India.

“Last year the company posted profits of more than $17 billion dollars but clearly that is not enough. They are seeking to make even more money at the cost of their workforce in Northern Ireland.

“It is vital that the Stormont Executive respond to the crisis in our manufacturing sector.”

Manufacturing NI described news of the proposed job losses as a “bitter blow” for the workforce and the wider supply chain.

“If we make this a great place to build a local manufacturing business that will help attracting investment from global manufacturers and others. This begins with increasing our productivity, driving down the costs of doing business and creating more opportunities to win work at home and abroad,” CEO Stephen Kelly said.

“Whilst 700 families have received this devastating news this morning and we are sure Caterpillar will do all they can to support these people. However, the announcement is not a total closure, jobs will not be lost straight away but over and as a minimum 900 jobs are remaining so it is now on all of us to create Northern Ireland as the most attractive place in the world for them to increase their investment in the months and years ahead,” Mr Kelly added.