Union demands action to support Resideo and Honeywell green manufacturing jobs

Unite, Scotland’s leading manufacturing union, has today (20 October) reacted with anger to the news that Motherwell based firms Resideo and Honeywell are set to close with the loss of over 200 jobs. 

Resideo confirmed the devastating news to its workforce at the end of last week that it intends to transfer its production to Brno, Czech Republic, and Nagykanizsa, Hungary, on the basis that these facilities have lower operational costs.  

The company manufactures a range of products designed to help with the transition towards a lower-carbon economy such as heating thermostats, air-conditioning thermostats, smart climate solutions, plumbing components for boilers and heat pumps, timers and heating controls. Approximately 116 jobs are at risk if the closure goes ahead. 

This morning (Tuesday), the adjacent Honeywell site announced to the workforce that it intends to close its doors with the loss of a further 91 jobs. The company propose to primarily transfer work to Poole in England but Unite understands work could be transferred abroad.  The company specialises in the design and manufacturing of electronic hardware and systems.

Honeywell has delivered a number of government contracts with the MoD and produced more than 70 million face masks during the Covid pandemic. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Scotland can't continue to haemorrhage manufacturing jobs. It’s simply unsustainable. 

“The decision by both Resideo and Honeywell to close the joint site, and to transfer the work out of Scotland is unforgivable. Government needs to intervene and ministers must protect jobs and communities. They need to act now.” 

Unite has demanded the Scottish and UK governments explore all options to retain the jobs at both companies. The products made are closely connected to heating efficiency, climate control and heat-pump technology, making the potential loss of this combined manufacturing capacity significant in the context of Scotland's just-transition ambitions. 

Unite industrial officer Sam Ritchie said: “It’s vital that everything possible is done to retain these jobs. The Resideo and Honeywell workers are critical to the emerging green economy. They make high value products including the well-known Honeywell home thermostats. 

“Government must get its act together and work to keep this joint site open because it’s central to delivering the just-transition agenda. Unite will fight tooth and nail to prevent these closures and we will be stepping up our actions to achieve this while supporting our members every step of the way.” 

ENDS 

Notes to Editor 

For media enquiries please contact Andrew Brady on 07810157922. Email andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members.