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| Jobs losses could be 'disastrous' | Jobs losses could be 'disastrous' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The possible loss of 265 electronics jobs in a factory in Anglesey has been described as a potential "disaster" for the local community. | The possible loss of 265 electronics jobs in a factory in Anglesey has been described as a potential "disaster" for the local community. |
| Eaton Electric in Holyhead could close in December 2009, laying off workers in March if the closure goes ahead. | Eaton Electric in Holyhead could close in December 2009, laying off workers in March if the closure goes ahead. |
| Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones is meet senior management on Friday. | Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones is meet senior management on Friday. |
| The Birmingham-based company, which took over the plant in 2003, may move work to its plants in Europe, where production costs are up to 35% lower. | The Birmingham-based company, which took over the plant in 2003, may move work to its plants in Europe, where production costs are up to 35% lower. |
| Eaton, which makes miniature circuit breakers, said the proposal to lay off so many employees and close the site reflected current market conditions with its foreign competitors undercutting and out-producing their Welsh operation from abroad. A lot of people have families here - husbands and wives - it will have a major knock-on effect Glyn Haines, Unite | |
| It said the plans were all part of its efforts to "increase efficiency and continue to optimise global competitiveness". | It said the plans were all part of its efforts to "increase efficiency and continue to optimise global competitiveness". |
| The closure of the plant will take place between March and December next year if it is approved. | The closure of the plant will take place between March and December next year if it is approved. |
| Workers were told to go home early on Thursday after being told of the closure plans. | Workers were told to go home early on Thursday after being told of the closure plans. |
| Local Plaid councillor Trevor Lloyd Hughes said that if the job cuts did take place then it would prove difficult for the local community to cope financially-speaking. | Local Plaid councillor Trevor Lloyd Hughes said that if the job cuts did take place then it would prove difficult for the local community to cope financially-speaking. |
| "It's a disaster," he said. "You cannot realise how much of a disaster it is for the people of Holyhead. | "It's a disaster," he said. "You cannot realise how much of a disaster it is for the people of Holyhead. |
| "I feel sorry for the employees, especially with the credit crunch." | "I feel sorry for the employees, especially with the credit crunch." |
| The plant currently makes three million circuit breakers a year and started out as the Midland Electric Manufacturing Company in 1960. | The plant currently makes three million circuit breakers a year and started out as the Midland Electric Manufacturing Company in 1960. |
| It seems the potential job losses did not come as a surprise to the workers, although many of the nearly 300 workers at the plant were upset at finally finding out. | It seems the potential job losses did not come as a surprise to the workers, although many of the nearly 300 workers at the plant were upset at finally finding out. |
| Unite union representative Glyn Haines said: "It was half-expected. There's a lot of upset people here. | |
| "A lot of people have families here - husbands and wives - it will have a major knock-on effect. This is a result of market conditions Michael Wilson, plant manager | |
| "A lot of the ladies here are in tears - they've been here many, many years." | "A lot of the ladies here are in tears - they've been here many, many years." |
| The company said it appreciated the workers' "hard work and dedication" and would offer them "extensive support" in finding new jobs and a severance package. | The company said it appreciated the workers' "hard work and dedication" and would offer them "extensive support" in finding new jobs and a severance package. |
| But plant manager Michael Wilson said the harsh realities of cheaper, foreign competition had finally taken its toll on the viability of the plant. | But plant manager Michael Wilson said the harsh realities of cheaper, foreign competition had finally taken its toll on the viability of the plant. |
| "This is a result of market conditions," he said. "We've been for a number of years competing against a market that long left the UK and that is now making products in low-cost countries, with lots of automations and in far greater numbers than we make." | "This is a result of market conditions," he said. "We've been for a number of years competing against a market that long left the UK and that is now making products in low-cost countries, with lots of automations and in far greater numbers than we make." |
| Eaton bought out Germany's Moeller electronics group in April and is looking to transfer production to its Moeller's European plants, which produce 60m circuit breakers a year. | Eaton bought out Germany's Moeller electronics group in April and is looking to transfer production to its Moeller's European plants, which produce 60m circuit breakers a year. |