The Clockwork Project has been shelved until an agreement can be reached to end the current industrial dispute over job security, according to an announcement by the Department for the Advancement of Sciences.
Sources at the department claim the move was initiated by Head of Development, Chan Ranbir, at the request of Saccadius Cartwright, one of the Scientists harangued by Trade Unionists at the Latitude Festival last month.
The announcement states that “Work on all Clockwork automata has now ceased, in the United Kingdom. We hope this will clear the way for talks with the Trade Unions, and end the strike action that has brought work at all government facilities to a stand still.”
The letter does not mention the resignation of a top member of the development team, and the loss of confidential paperwork which many believe is the reason for this unexpected development.
Over night, teams of removal men were seen loading large boxes into vehicles parked outside the London headquarters of the department.
We tried to contact Saccadius Cartwright for a comment, but were told he’s on extended leave, and Chan Ranbir, is said to be out of the country.
Many believe this is a hollow victory for the trade unions, as the project has the backing of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the Church of England, and business leaders.