Great Britain George W King Ltd - Hertfordshire - Aug 2013

Canonguy · Aug 15, 2013

A little bit of history on why this building lies empty:

STRIKE action is being taken by more than 200 workers at an engineering company following notice that jobs will be axed and the site closed. Employees at George W King Ltd, will establish a picket line next Wednesday and intend to strike every alternate week until Christmas. Workers will also adhere to an overtime ban.

The company has been in here for nearly 20 years. Before that it was based near Stevenage railway station and was part of Krupp Camford Engineering.

Tony E, regional officer for Unite the Union, said employees accept the site must close because it is losing money, but are striking over a poor redundancy package.

"The place is closing and the machinery is already being taken out," he explained.

"Reluctantly, I think people have got to accept the closure but the redundancy package is insufficient. It's less than they have given to people in the past and we want more than the normal package."

Mr E said the company is not making payments in lieu of notice. "All they are offering, which is an insult, is that employees will be given a Ã‚Â£100 bonus if they work when they are supposed to."

He described it as "an awful situation" and said industrial action is unheard of at George W King but "these people are desperate".

Of the five companies in the group, this one is set to close next year, with the potential to transfer 30 jobs to Luton, and a site in Hereford is also due to close.

Union convener Harvey D, who has worked for George W King for seven years, said: "They are not being very cooperative. They have given us 90 days notice, which will be up on November 24, and so far we have only had two meetings. They should be sitting round the table and talking to us.

"Striking is a last resort. We have tried everything else.

"Everybody is concerned because there's not much work about now. It's going to affect a lot of people and their families."

Bosses at George W King refused to comment.

it has also suffered 2 major arson attacks (one in downstairs offices and one at the rear in the factory) but walking round there has been many more attempts

early this year (2013)

POLICE have confirmed a fire which broke out in the derelict building was an arson attack.The fire broke out on Wednesday evening at around 5.40pm at the former George W King site. The building was subject to an arson attack in February, with police patrols stepped up as a result. And there have also been reports of anti-social behaviour at the building. In September last year, the Comet also reported on a gang of men who pleaded guilty to stealing metal from the premises.

you can buy there full list of "useful" contacts (64,405 of them apparently) for the cheap price of Ã‚Â£679.99

George W.King Ltd. are offering 'Manufacture of automotive' in the Motor Vehicles industry. with a turnover of Ã‚Â£108,408,000 They also have offices in Coventry and 600 + employees accross the UK. George W.King Ltd. holds many opportunities, leads and useful contacts.

this is a great building really enjoyed walking round and the smell of engineering. also some amazing graffiti all around but i couldn't document everything there was simply too much

Full set: www.flickr.com/photos/samcain/sets/72157635023996090/