ROLLS- Royce says it is 'extremely disappointed' at a vote for industrial action made by members of Unite The Union at its Barnoldswick site.

It says the vote by 17 members comes at a time when everyone at Barnoldswick needs to focus on supporting a plan – agreed between management and trade union representatives – to secure the site and attract new work to preserve jobs.

Meanwhile, Unite says it has a meeting with Royce Chief executive officer Warren East later this month when it hopes concerns about the future of the site will be resolved.

Sebastian Resch, Rolls-Royce Director of Operations – Civil Aerospace, said: “This vote is extremely disappointing, given the commitments given by both the company and union representatives to develop a plan that will preserve Barnoldswick through the devastating industrial impact of Covid-19.

"We will continue to engage in meaningful dialogue with trade union representatives to ensure both sides meet their commitments – to invest in the site, and also to deliver the productivity and efficiency improvements that are essential to secure Barnoldswick’s future.”

Rolls-Royce says its plan requires both co-operation and determination from everyone if it is to succeed.

It says the company, and the entire aviation industry, is facing an unprecedented impact from the Covid pandemic which has led to a significant consolidation of work across the company’s site footprint worldwide.

Facilities have already closed in the US, and assembly and engine test operations discontinued in Singapore.

A spokesperson said: "We are already taking action to deliver on our commitments in the Barnoldswick plan, honouring our commitment to no compulsory redundancies and identifying new work for the site.

"We are retaining the Fabricated Structures Facility at our Bankfield site – guaranteeing its future until 2031 to ensure the site has retained footprint for any new work. We have now confirmed that parts for Rolls-Royce’s technology demonstrator programme for its next generation of gas turbine, UltraFan, will be completed there.

"Plans are also progressing to install capability for a new fan blade servicing and repair capacity, requiring more than £1m in investment.

The spokesperson added: "The site’s training centre location is now confirmed, with plans to both develop employee skills and offer training, and we are working with a consortium of training providers and accrediting bodies to develop our employees for future work opportunities. In addition, a Product Development and Technical Centre will focus on developing new components, engineering methods and technologies, drawing on the site’s engineering skills."

Unite national officer for aerospace Rhys McCarthy said: "Unite has secured a meeting with Rolls-Royce Chief executive officer Warren East later this month.

"It is hoped that this meeting will resolve the concerns that our members have about the future of the Barnoldswick factory."