Union: Rolls-Royce to close UK defense plant
1/22/2013LONDON — Britain's largest trade union, Unite, says that Rolls-Royce is planning to close its U.K. defense operations, resulting in the loss of some 400 jobs.
The union said staff at the firm was informed of the company's plans to shut the plant at Ansty, near Coventry, an internal memo today.
Rolls-Royce was unable to comment when contacted about reports of the closure.
The plant employs about 800 people and handles the refit and repair of airplane and marine engines.
Unite claimed that the closure is proposed to take place in the next few years, and blamed the British government's cuts to the national defense budget for the decision.