Digger maker JCB avoids job losses as workers agree to work fewer hours

Workers at digger maker JCB have agreed to work shorter hours to help the company avoid compulsory redundancies.

The firm - which has eight factories in Staffordshire, one in Derbyshire and two in Wrexham - announced plans for 290 redundancies earlier this month.

This followed a statement in September that a slowdown in global markets would see 400 jobs go in the UK.

However, following consultations with the GMB union, more than 100 shop floor jobs are set to be saved.

After negotiations between JCB and GMB, representing employees at the company's factories, the number of planned redundancies was reduced to 235.

More on this and other stories on Stoke and Staffordshire.

Workers voted on Friday to accept shorter working hours for three months to prevent the need for compulsory redundancies, with other jobs saved through voluntary redundancies and early retirements.

A spokesman for the company said staff would be able to work back the hours once the three-month agreement had ended.

JCB chief executive Graeme Macdonald said the employees should "be applauded for their actions".

"JCB and the GMB were determined to do everything possible to avoid compulsory redundancies through a combination of voluntary redundancies, early retirements and flexible working," he said.

Gordon Richardson, GMB works convenor at JCB, said: "It's a magnanimous act which is in the spirit of the approaching festive season and means that over 100 people who were under threat of compulsory redundancy will now have a much happier Christmas."