Claims by the Unite union, printed in last week’s Newton News, that the 3M manufacturing site at Aycliffe is acting like a Dickensian villain have been completely rejected by the company.
The claims had been made in a press release issued by the union in which it branded the science-based technology company as a “Scrooge employer” for requiring production to continue during the three working days between the Christmas and New Year holidays.
In the article, it was stated that this requirement was directly linked to ongoing discussions over pay increases for the company’s UK employees.
3M has said that any suggestion of a link between these discussions and the working arrangements during the Christmas and New Year period is completely false.
Aycliffe site manager Colin MacLeod explained: “As a major manufacturer of masks and respirators for workers, including healthcare professionals, in this country and abroad, it is essential that we ensure continuity of supply to meet the needs of our customers and, ultimately, protect the health of end-users.
“Current levels of demand are such that we need to have the machines running on the three regular workdays between Christmas and New Year.
“We believe our employees understand this and greatly appreciate their flexibility.”
