GMB ReachOut to Furniture Makers
Mon 22nd Feb 2010
Last week has sadly seen the last piece of furniture leave the HJ Berry site in Chipping near Preston.
The family business which was established in 1840 employed 85 people including 60 GMB members the majority of which all live in the village in which it is based.
The GMB ReachOut project were made aware of the situation and have immediately responded with advice, guidance, and training support for its members and their colleagues, friends and family.
Dave Flanagan GMB ReachOut Project Worker said:
"What has happened at Berrys is truly devastating not only for the villages of Chipping and Longridge but also for the area as a whole. There are people who have worked on the site for generations. Having spoke to many of the workforce over the last few days people are still in shock and coming to terms with the impact the announcement is going to have.
"We are doing everything we can to ensure that employees from this site gets all the help they need. Despite the uncertainty ahead the community response to the situation has been outstanding."
Fr Grimshaw of St Mary's R.C Church, Chipping opened the doors of the parish Community Hall on Friday where the GMB Reachout project and St Antony's Centre worked in partnership to run a CV workshop for employees. By the end of the day over 30 people walked away with a CV to present to prospective employers. The response has been so great that a second session has now been arranged for Friday 26th Feb at St Marys Hall where Members of the GMB ReachOut Team will be on hand from 9am until 4pm to offer further advice, guidance and training support. Information will also be available about the Response to Redundancy programme for those who need assistance with re-training.
Discussions have also taken place between GMB Reachout and local Councillors regarding the use of other local community facilities for the delivery of Maths, English and IT. We hope these will start as soon as possible.
Further information can be obtained from David Flanagan on 01254 238443 or dave@gmbreachout.org.uk