ENGINEERS taking industrial action at a Rolls-Royce factory in Lancashire were joined on their picket line by striking NHS lab technicians from nearby Burnley General Hospital today.

The two groups of workers say they are united by a common grievance — their employers have reneged on agreements.

Rolls-Royce employs 450 workers manufacturing high-spec components for jet engines in Barnoldswick. Last year they took strike action over fears of job losses.

The dispute was settled after management agreed to keep a minimum workforce of 350 at the factory and train new apprentices.

Unite regional organiser Ross Quinn told the Star: “Managers have now been saying that the workforce will be reduced to 200 within two years.”

One group of skilled engineers is already on strike while the rest of the workforce is voting on strike action.

Mr Quinn said: “The Burnley NHS workers’ employer is failing to honour agreements on pay. Like us they put their faith in negotiated agreements which the employers are now rejecting.”

Lancashire NHS Teaching Hospitals Trust, which runs Burnley General Hospital, has denied breaching pay agreements.

A spokesman for Rolls-Royce said 270 jobs and 80 training roles had been “identified to date.”