This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7482961.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Staff strike following jobs news Staff strike following jobs news
(about 4 hours later)
Staff at a West Midlands electronics component factory are striking following confirmation that 140 jobs will be transferred to a US factory. Staff at a West Midlands electronics component factory have taken industrial action after confirmation that 140 jobs will be transferred to a US factory.
Officials at Fujitsu, in Solihull, said it needed to move its printed circuit board operations to the Texas plant.Officials at Fujitsu, in Solihull, said it needed to move its printed circuit board operations to the Texas plant.
Factory staff were taking part in a four-hour walkout from 1200 BST, which would disrupt two shifts. A 24-hour strike was held last month. Factory staff took part in a four-hour walkout from 1200 BST, which disrupted two shifts. A 24-hour strike was held last month.
The company said its assembly and test activities would remain in Solihull.The company said its assembly and test activities would remain in Solihull.
'Nail in coffin''Nail in coffin'
Officials at the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) said they had been in talks with company bosses, and "regretted" their decision to go ahead with the job losses.Officials at the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) said they had been in talks with company bosses, and "regretted" their decision to go ahead with the job losses.
Andy Kerr, from the union, said: "If this work leaves the Fujitsu plant in Birmingham it will be another nail in the coffin of manufacturing in the West Midlands.Andy Kerr, from the union, said: "If this work leaves the Fujitsu plant in Birmingham it will be another nail in the coffin of manufacturing in the West Midlands.
"We will to fight to secure the future of CWU members.""We will to fight to secure the future of CWU members."
A total of 700 people are employed at the company's Solihull site.A total of 700 people are employed at the company's Solihull site.
Chief operating officer at Fujitsu Tony Oppenheim said: "This has been an extremely difficult decision, and has only been made after intensive and very constructive consultation over alternative solutions, which would have enabled the manufacturing of PCBs to remain in Solihull."Chief operating officer at Fujitsu Tony Oppenheim said: "This has been an extremely difficult decision, and has only been made after intensive and very constructive consultation over alternative solutions, which would have enabled the manufacturing of PCBs to remain in Solihull."
He added that the company would be talking to union officials to achieve "the best possible outcome for everyone concerned".He added that the company would be talking to union officials to achieve "the best possible outcome for everyone concerned".