Haden Young consults over job cuts

Haden Young is making job cuts as the construction sector remains one of the hardest hit in the current recession.

Both site operatives and office staff will be made redundant in order to cut costs as work continues to dry up.

A spokesperson for the Balfour Beatty-owned firm said: “We can confirm that Haden Young has consulted a number of employees in the UK regarding possible redundancy .

“Where possible the company is seeking to find alternative positions within Balfour Beatty. Consultations are under way with our employees and representatives. Until this process is complete we cannot make further comment.”

Unite Amicus national officer Tom Hardacre said: “We’re seeing redundancies throughout the industry.

“We’re looking at initiatives through the sector skills councils to encourage workers to continue training, even if they’re not currently working, so that they have something when the recession dies down and so that the industry will not have lost vital skills resources.

“At the moment, we’re trying to persuade employers to consider arrangements other than redundancy, as in the car industry.”

Hardacre did not wish to elaborate on possible alternatives as EMC went to press, but inspiration can certainly be found within the car manufacturing industry.

Car-makers Jaguar Land Rover and Vauxhall have offered staff sabbaticals in return for 80% and 30% cuts in annual salary respectively.

Honda cut production and shut its Swindon plant for February and March, and Aston Martin and Bentley have instituted three-day weeks at certain factories.

More ideas on alternatives to redundancies can be found at: www.keepbritainworking.com