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Worries over 208 car plant jobs Worries over 208 car plant jobs
(about 2 hours later)
An automotive plant is calling for 208 voluntary redundancies, according to a union official.An automotive plant is calling for 208 voluntary redundancies, according to a union official.
Linamar, which employs 358 people on the outskirts of Swansea, took over the site just five months ago. It has not yet commented on the claim. Linamar, which employs 358 people in Swansea, said the exact numbers of job losses were unknown but it faced an "unpredictable and volatile market".
The sale of the former Visteon components plant was completed in July with hopes it would lead to expansion. It bought the former Visteon components plant in July with hopes it would lead to expansion.
It comes as the assembly government announced plans for a scheme to pay companies to retain and train staff. First Minister Rhodri Morgan said the Welsh economy was facing a "pretty bloody" next few months.
Canadian-based Linamar, which employs 11,000 people worldwide, said when it took over that it hoped the Visteon plant would mark a "springboard into Europe" for the company. His comments came as the assembly government announced plans for a scheme to pay companies to retain and train staff, following a third economic "summit".
Canadian group Linamar said it was well known that the world economy was in "turmoil".
In a statement, the company said: "A much diminishing automotive industry requires that Linamar review its global operations on a daily basis. We are well aware that the facility was unprofitable, and had the potential of closing without Linamar involvement."
It had a "vested interest" in seeing the factory off Fabian Way on the outskirts of the city prosper.
"In order to do this we must implement a strategy that allows us to operate efficiently so that we can turn a profit," said the spokesman.
"Part of this plan requires that we adjust our workforce so that it is aligned with our customer demands. The exact number of these reductions is unknown at this time as our decisions are driven by our ability to respond quickly to an unpredictable and volatile market."
Workers have been informed and offered voluntary redundancy. The company was confident its decisions would help secure "a prosperous future" for employees.
The company, which employs 11,000 people worldwide, said when it took over that it hoped the Visteon plant would mark a "springboard into Europe" for the company.
The firm announced plans to produce camshafts, fly wheels and connecting rods, with possible expansion into other engine components.The firm announced plans to produce camshafts, fly wheels and connecting rods, with possible expansion into other engine components.
However, last month the group reported a huge drop in sales for the third-quarter of the year, blaming falling demand from car companies.However, last month the group reported a huge drop in sales for the third-quarter of the year, blaming falling demand from car companies.
The company was confident measures would help protect the factory
Rob Williams, a shop steward at the factory, told BBC Wales that the company had offered voluntary redundancy to 208 staff.Rob Williams, a shop steward at the factory, told BBC Wales that the company had offered voluntary redundancy to 208 staff.
He said he believed the firm wants to see the workforce reduced by 60% with some production work moved to Mexico.He said he believed the firm wants to see the workforce reduced by 60% with some production work moved to Mexico.
Emyr Evans, regional industrial organiser for Unite called the job losses a "huge blow" to manufacturing in Wales. The union will issue a fuller statement on Monday.Emyr Evans, regional industrial organiser for Unite called the job losses a "huge blow" to manufacturing in Wales. The union will issue a fuller statement on Monday.
The company has not yet made any official statement and has been asked for comment.
It is the latest big name in the Welsh manufacturing industry to feel the pinch.
Over the last month hundreds of jobs losses have been threatened at the Hoover factory in Merthyr Tydfil, while 450 posts are at risk at the Novelis Europe aluminium plant near Newport.Over the last month hundreds of jobs losses have been threatened at the Hoover factory in Merthyr Tydfil, while 450 posts are at risk at the Novelis Europe aluminium plant near Newport.
A further 263 people are without a job after being made redundant when the Maesteg cosmetic's firm Budelpack COSi went into administration.A further 263 people are without a job after being made redundant when the Maesteg cosmetic's firm Budelpack COSi went into administration.
The service industry has not escaped - with the 118 118 call centre in Cardiff announcing this week that 300 jobs will go.The service industry has not escaped - with the 118 118 call centre in Cardiff announcing this week that 300 jobs will go.
In the space of a few weeks, a total of 4,000 Welsh jobs have been put in jeopardy.In the space of a few weeks, a total of 4,000 Welsh jobs have been put in jeopardy.
SpendingSpending
It was the backdrop to Friday's third economic "summit" of assembly ministers, Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy and business leaders to review the latest economic situation in Wales.It was the backdrop to Friday's third economic "summit" of assembly ministers, Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy and business leaders to review the latest economic situation in Wales.
Following the meeting, the assembly government announced plans for a scheme to pay companies to retain and train their staff rather than make them redundant.Following the meeting, the assembly government announced plans for a scheme to pay companies to retain and train their staff rather than make them redundant.
A plan was also announced to begin work on £23m worth of public sector projects over the next four months.A plan was also announced to begin work on £23m worth of public sector projects over the next four months.
After the talks, the First Minister Rhodri Morgan told a news conference that the Welsh economy is facing a "pretty bloody" next few months. After the talks, the First Minister Rhodri Morgan told a news conference that the Welsh economy was facing a "pretty bloody" next few months.
Since its first summit in October, the assembly government has highlighted £877m of commitments aimed at tackling the impact of the world's economic meltdown.Since its first summit in October, the assembly government has highlighted £877m of commitments aimed at tackling the impact of the world's economic meltdown.
It includes investments of £350m for 19 projects which include affordable housing, rail and road links, school buildings and the health service.It includes investments of £350m for 19 projects which include affordable housing, rail and road links, school buildings and the health service.
There is also £160m being pumped into Heads of the Valleys regeneration, the SA1 development in Swansea and research in Welsh universities.There is also £160m being pumped into Heads of the Valleys regeneration, the SA1 development in Swansea and research in Welsh universities.
However, much of the spending announced since October has to be spread out over the next two financial years.However, much of the spending announced since October has to be spread out over the next two financial years.
'Consequence'
Conservative AM Jonathan Morgan has questioned whether the measures are enough.Conservative AM Jonathan Morgan has questioned whether the measures are enough.
"While we welcome all the support government can give to help people and businesses through the economic downturn this sort of creative accountancy is scarcely credible," said the assembly member. "While we welcome all the support government can give to help people and businesses through the economic downturn this sort of creative accountancy is scarcely credible," he said.
"We need to know how much of this money is new investment and how much is simply already planned expenditure."
But the Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones insisted: "We are doing all we can to focus energy and resources on helping Welsh families and Welsh businesses through this economic downturn."But the Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones insisted: "We are doing all we can to focus energy and resources on helping Welsh families and Welsh businesses through this economic downturn."