Norwich Remploy workers join unions’ national strike

Workers at a Norwich factory which supports disabled people are today expected to strike over national colleagues facing redundancy.

Staff at Remploy in Norwich, the majority of whom are disabled, have been told their jobs are secure but 36 of 54 sites across the country face closure.

The national strike, involving members of the GMB and Unite unions, will be repeated next Thursday as well.

The picket line will be manned from 7am to 4pm at the Raynham Street factory west of Norwich, which produces packaging.

GMB senior organiser Warren Kenny said: 'Although it doesn't initially involve the closure of the factory in Norwich, which is not in the first tranche, they will also be under threat in future.'

He added that the factories provided essential support, financially and psychologically, for 'incredibly vulnerable people.'

The government decided in March 2012 to reduce the organisation's funding, following a recommendation in a national report that money should be used to maximise the number of disabled people into work, rather than subsidise employers such as Remploy.

Dozens of people took to the streets of Norwich in April to protest at the changes.