this tells a little story
Siemens, which beat Bombardier to the Thameslink rolling stock contract, is now trying to hire its staff, according to the Unite union.
The union said Siemens wants the UK train maker’s procurement and sales staff, as well as Bombardier’s bogies.
Siemens said it was not aware of any approach being made, but insiders at Bombardier told The Sun newspaper that recruitment agencies had been in touch on Siemens' behalf.
Mark Young, regional co-ordinating officer at the Unite union, said the move “beggared belief” and told the newspaper: “One of the senior HR guys told us the company had contacted them and asked if they had any bilingual procurement staff as they had a problem with English speakers.
“It's unbelievable. The question has to be asked, if they haven't got the skills and abilities in the first place how did they win the contract?”
Earlier this week bosses at Bombardier, based in Canada but with substantial facilities at Derby, announced plans to axe 1,429 jobs at the factory after losing out on the valuable contract – which could have a knock-on effect on its future ability to win major contracts.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has agreed to meet unions to discuss the situation next week.