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Jobs fears for 300 Indesit staff | Jobs fears for 300 Indesit staff |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Union officials have met senior management over fears a washing machine factory, which employs more than 300, is subject to a "critical review". | |
Alwyn Rowlands, of Unite, claimed Indesit's plant at Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire was one of two which would receive "special emphasis". | |
It follows a day of 350 actual and potential job losses in Wales. | |
Meanwhile, official monthly jobless figures showed unemployment in Wales has reached 100,000. | Meanwhile, official monthly jobless figures showed unemployment in Wales has reached 100,000. |
Mr Rowlands said Indesit is reviewing its whole operation. | |
Unite met with management on Thursday, but no announcement has yet been made regarding Boledwyddan's future, and another meeting is scheduled in March. | |
Indesit has been asked for comment. | |
Mr Rowlands said up to 340 workers at the plant, which also makes the Hotpoint brand, had been told nothing about their futures, and he now feared for the factory. | Mr Rowlands said up to 340 workers at the plant, which also makes the Hotpoint brand, had been told nothing about their futures, and he now feared for the factory. |
We are determined to do all we can to prevent job losses and support Welsh workers who lose their jobs First Minister Rhodri Morgan | We are determined to do all we can to prevent job losses and support Welsh workers who lose their jobs First Minister Rhodri Morgan |
He added: "One has to be suspicious of the fact that they have opened a new plant in Poland that produces washing machines. | He added: "One has to be suspicious of the fact that they have opened a new plant in Poland that produces washing machines. |
"We can't keep people in a state of suspended animation - you've got to come clean. | "We can't keep people in a state of suspended animation - you've got to come clean. |
"If it's bad news, then let's have it so we can deal with it." | "If it's bad news, then let's have it so we can deal with it." |
The union's claim came after a bad day for job losses across Wales. | |
Flintshire building firm PT Construction, based on Deeside Industrial Park, announced it had gone out of business with 130 job losses. | Flintshire building firm PT Construction, based on Deeside Industrial Park, announced it had gone out of business with 130 job losses. |
Managers at Makro cash-and-carry store in Swansea announced they were proposing to close the store with the possible loss of 112 jobs. | Managers at Makro cash-and-carry store in Swansea announced they were proposing to close the store with the possible loss of 112 jobs. |
At Caernarfon, Gwynedd, manufacturer Gleneagle Furniture said it had closed with the loss of 65 jobs. | At Caernarfon, Gwynedd, manufacturer Gleneagle Furniture said it had closed with the loss of 65 jobs. |
And the First Milk cheese packing plant at Maelor, Wrexham, warned that another 52 jobs could go because of "reduced volumes" in its business. | And the First Milk cheese packing plant at Maelor, Wrexham, warned that another 52 jobs could go because of "reduced volumes" in its business. |
Official quarterly figures showed that UK unemployment increased by 146,000 to 1.97 million between October and December. | Official quarterly figures showed that UK unemployment increased by 146,000 to 1.97 million between October and December. |
In Wales more than 5,000 jobs were lost during the quarter, meaning a total of 7% of the population are now unemployed. | In Wales more than 5,000 jobs were lost during the quarter, meaning a total of 7% of the population are now unemployed. |
Responding to the figures, shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan MP, said: "Gordon Brown and Rhodri Morgan's failure to prepare for the recession means Wales now has the highest unemployment rate of any of the nations of the United Kingdom. | Responding to the figures, shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan MP, said: "Gordon Brown and Rhodri Morgan's failure to prepare for the recession means Wales now has the highest unemployment rate of any of the nations of the United Kingdom. |
"Across Wales 100,000 people face an uncertain future as more jobs are lost, more companies go bust, and with fewer opportunities to get back to work. | "Across Wales 100,000 people face an uncertain future as more jobs are lost, more companies go bust, and with fewer opportunities to get back to work. |
"These figures will not include recent job losses including those at Woolworths and Corus. This means the real position on the ground is significantly worse than today's figures suggest. | "These figures will not include recent job losses including those at Woolworths and Corus. This means the real position on the ground is significantly worse than today's figures suggest. |
"Despite all Labour's summits, all Labour's spin, and all the promises of support, jobs continue to be lost across Wales on a daily basis." | "Despite all Labour's summits, all Labour's spin, and all the promises of support, jobs continue to be lost across Wales on a daily basis." |
Liberal Democrat economy spokeswoman Jenny Randerson AM, described the latest figures as "a worrying milestone in this increasingly long and bleak period." | Liberal Democrat economy spokeswoman Jenny Randerson AM, described the latest figures as "a worrying milestone in this increasingly long and bleak period." |
Ms Randerson said: "The UK rate is running at 6.3%, so Wales is in a considerably worse position. For a long period, the Welsh unemployment rate was below the UK average, and now we have fallen behind." | Ms Randerson said: "The UK rate is running at 6.3%, so Wales is in a considerably worse position. For a long period, the Welsh unemployment rate was below the UK average, and now we have fallen behind." |
Mr Morgan acknowledged that the figures were "disappointing". | Mr Morgan acknowledged that the figures were "disappointing". |
The First Minister added: "We are determined to do all we can to prevent job losses and support Welsh workers who lose their jobs. | The First Minister added: "We are determined to do all we can to prevent job losses and support Welsh workers who lose their jobs. |
"Innovative schemes such as ReAct, ProAct and the apprenticeship support programme have got £100m fully allocated. They are there to offer real help to businesses and employees, and we will continue to work closely with the UK government. | "Innovative schemes such as ReAct, ProAct and the apprenticeship support programme have got £100m fully allocated. They are there to offer real help to businesses and employees, and we will continue to work closely with the UK government. |
"We are doing all that we can to help the people of Wales through these tough times, and to prepare Wales for the upturn when it comes." | "We are doing all that we can to help the people of Wales through these tough times, and to prepare Wales for the upturn when it comes." |