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Workers to march over jobs threat Workers to march over jobs threat
(10 minutes later)
Workers at the Hoover headquarters in south Wales are due to hold a march later to protest against the possible loss of 337 manufacturing jobs.Workers at the Hoover headquarters in south Wales are due to hold a march later to protest against the possible loss of 337 manufacturing jobs.
One union official at the plant in Merthyr Tydfil fears production could stop after 60 years and the plant close on 27 February. One union official at the plant in Merthyr Tydfil fears production could stop on 27 February after 60 years of manufacturing in the town.
But the Italian-owned firm said no final decision had been made and it is still in consultation with staff.But the Italian-owned firm said no final decision had been made and it is still in consultation with staff.
Hoover has said it can no longer make competitively priced items at the site.Hoover has said it can no longer make competitively priced items at the site.
Union officials have been holding talks with management since the jobs announcement was made in November but so far the company has not told manufacturing workers officially whether production will definitely be stopped or not.Union officials have been holding talks with management since the jobs announcement was made in November but so far the company has not told manufacturing workers officially whether production will definitely be stopped or not.
'No hope''No hope'
A 90 day consultation period on the plans is due to come to end next month.A 90 day consultation period on the plans is due to come to end next month.
We need to know are we going to get some other jobs and economic activity on what is a good brownfield site Huw Lewis AM However John Jones, the Unite union convenor at the Merthyr plant, said David Lunt, Hoover vice president for group human resources had told them production would be stopped and the plant closed on 27 February, although this could knock on to 13 March.We need to know are we going to get some other jobs and economic activity on what is a good brownfield site Huw Lewis AM However John Jones, the Unite union convenor at the Merthyr plant, said David Lunt, Hoover vice president for group human resources had told them production would be stopped and the plant closed on 27 February, although this could knock on to 13 March.
"We hope to highlight that the offer the company has given us is not good enough," said Mr Jones."We hope to highlight that the offer the company has given us is not good enough," said Mr Jones.
"We would also like to know what the Welsh Assembly (Government) and Merthyr borough council are going to do.""We would also like to know what the Welsh Assembly (Government) and Merthyr borough council are going to do."
The union official said that despite the continuing consultations with the company, there was a "realisation" that manufacturing at the site was going to end.The union official said that despite the continuing consultations with the company, there was a "realisation" that manufacturing at the site was going to end.
"There is no hope at all - it is closing," he said."There is no hope at all - it is closing," he said.
Merthyr Tydfil's assembly member Huw Lewis described the closure as a "massive disappointment" and said the effects would ripple out into the wider community.Merthyr Tydfil's assembly member Huw Lewis described the closure as a "massive disappointment" and said the effects would ripple out into the wider community.
BrownfieldBrownfield
He also called on Economy Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones to help Merthyr "get some value out of the site" after its closure.He also called on Economy Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones to help Merthyr "get some value out of the site" after its closure.
"We need to know, are we going to get some other jobs and economic activity on what is a good brownfield site?" he said."We need to know, are we going to get some other jobs and economic activity on what is a good brownfield site?" he said.
"I want to see an assembly government plan on how they are going to help Merthyr Tydfil."I want to see an assembly government plan on how they are going to help Merthyr Tydfil.
"They have done it before in many other parts of Wales where an iconic employer has left the area.""They have done it before in many other parts of Wales where an iconic employer has left the area."
Mr Lewis added that the workers wanted to hold the march so that their case was not forgotten.Mr Lewis added that the workers wanted to hold the march so that their case was not forgotten.
HOOVER IN MERTHYR 1948: Factory opens1973: By time of Queen's visit almost 5,000 people worked at site1985: Hoover became manufacturer for Sinclair C5 - company merges with Chicago Pacific Corportation1992: Hoover launched a disastrous free-flights offer for customers buying a product over £100 - but it could not meet demand and faced a £48m payout after court cases1995: Hoover sold to Italian firm CandyHOOVER IN MERTHYR 1948: Factory opens1973: By time of Queen's visit almost 5,000 people worked at site1985: Hoover became manufacturer for Sinclair C5 - company merges with Chicago Pacific Corportation1992: Hoover launched a disastrous free-flights offer for customers buying a product over £100 - but it could not meet demand and faced a £48m payout after court cases1995: Hoover sold to Italian firm Candy
Unite union officials are hoping around 150 people will take part in the march from Hoover to the council offices in Merthyr.Unite union officials are hoping around 150 people will take part in the march from Hoover to the council offices in Merthyr.
An assembly government spokesman said its services to assist workers leaving Hoover to find either new skills or suitable alternative employment would come into operation when it knew exactly who would need them.An assembly government spokesman said its services to assist workers leaving Hoover to find either new skills or suitable alternative employment would come into operation when it knew exactly who would need them.
Washing machines and tumble driers are currently made at the plant and the firm currently employs a total of 450 staff.Washing machines and tumble driers are currently made at the plant and the firm currently employs a total of 450 staff.
Aside from manufacturing, which makes up most of the workforce, it has finance, legal, IT, order processing, transport and logistics, warehouse and distribution departments which are not affected by the announcement at this stage.Aside from manufacturing, which makes up most of the workforce, it has finance, legal, IT, order processing, transport and logistics, warehouse and distribution departments which are not affected by the announcement at this stage.
The company, owned by Italian firm Candy, has a 60-year association with Wales, employing 5,000 people at Merthyr Tydfil at its peak.The company, owned by Italian firm Candy, has a 60-year association with Wales, employing 5,000 people at Merthyr Tydfil at its peak.
The march will begin at 1320 GMT from the factory.The march will begin at 1320 GMT from the factory.