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| Workers' co-op plan for Burberry | Workers' co-op plan for Burberry |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Plans are being drawn up to try to save the jobs of 50 workers at the closing Burberry factory in the Rhondda. | Plans are being drawn up to try to save the jobs of 50 workers at the closing Burberry factory in the Rhondda. |
| Some of the workers may be helped to set up their own co-operative clothing business, BBC Wales has learned. | Some of the workers may be helped to set up their own co-operative clothing business, BBC Wales has learned. |
| The Treorchy factory will close at the end of March with the loss of more than 300 jobs, despite a campaign to save it backed by politicians and celebrities. | The Treorchy factory will close at the end of March with the loss of more than 300 jobs, despite a campaign to save it backed by politicians and celebrities. |
| The Welsh Assembly Government is in talks about the co-operative with Burberry, the GMB union, and others. | The Welsh Assembly Government is in talks about the co-operative with Burberry, the GMB union, and others. |
| Don't forget, this is just one option that's being considered at the moment Adrian Clarke, Welsh Clothing and Textile Association | Don't forget, this is just one option that's being considered at the moment Adrian Clarke, Welsh Clothing and Textile Association |
| The Politics Show on BBC Wales has discovered that a number of interested parties are exploring the possibility, including the Welsh Clothing and Textile Association (WCTA), which first put the idea forward. | The Politics Show on BBC Wales has discovered that a number of interested parties are exploring the possibility, including the Welsh Clothing and Textile Association (WCTA), which first put the idea forward. |
| The co-operative would produce samples of garments for manufacturers to check products before commissioning large runs elsewhere. | The co-operative would produce samples of garments for manufacturers to check products before commissioning large runs elsewhere. |
| Adrian Clarke of the WCTA said: "We would be looking at the idea of a unit of around about 50 people but obviously we'd be looking to explore that further. | Adrian Clarke of the WCTA said: "We would be looking at the idea of a unit of around about 50 people but obviously we'd be looking to explore that further. |
| "If there's the need or demand that could find enough work for more than 50 then obviously we'll explore that further again." | "If there's the need or demand that could find enough work for more than 50 then obviously we'll explore that further again." |
| The Treorchy workers staged pickets at Burberry London storesThe WCTA said it believed the plan could work, and could also lead to smaller units being opened at other locations. | The Treorchy workers staged pickets at Burberry London storesThe WCTA said it believed the plan could work, and could also lead to smaller units being opened at other locations. |
| Mr Clarke said: "Don't forget, this is just one option that's being considered at the moment. | Mr Clarke said: "Don't forget, this is just one option that's being considered at the moment. |
| "Through our contacts as well there are interests coming in to safeguard other jobs further on. But we'll have to wait and see how that develops." | "Through our contacts as well there are interests coming in to safeguard other jobs further on. But we'll have to wait and see how that develops." |
| Rhondda AM Leighton Andrews, who has been campaigning to keep the plant open, said there were still "a lot of unanswered questions". | Rhondda AM Leighton Andrews, who has been campaigning to keep the plant open, said there were still "a lot of unanswered questions". |
| 'Iconic brand' | 'Iconic brand' |
| He said it would need start-up support, and questioned the attitude Burberry would take to it. | He said it would need start-up support, and questioned the attitude Burberry would take to it. |
| Burberry, which has described the Treorchy factory as not commercially viable, declined to comment on the proposal. | Burberry, which has described the Treorchy factory as not commercially viable, declined to comment on the proposal. |
| A series of celebrity names, including actors Ioan Gruffudd - who advertises Burberry - Rhys Ifans and Emma Thompson have urged the company to keep the plant open. There have also been pickets at London Burberry stores. | A series of celebrity names, including actors Ioan Gruffudd - who advertises Burberry - Rhys Ifans and Emma Thompson have urged the company to keep the plant open. There have also been pickets at London Burberry stores. |
| The firm plans to move production abroad of the polo shirts made in Treorchy. | The firm plans to move production abroad of the polo shirts made in Treorchy. |
| It has also been criticised by Wales and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, who said such an "iconic British brand" should not be made abroad. | It has also been criticised by Wales and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, who said such an "iconic British brand" should not be made abroad. |
| Burberry has emphasised, however, that it has no plans to leave the UK, and has offered Rhondda workers jobs at its plant in Yorkshire. | Burberry has emphasised, however, that it has no plans to leave the UK, and has offered Rhondda workers jobs at its plant in Yorkshire. |
| Burberry has said it was "proud to retain a strong manufacturing capability in the UK. We make our iconic trench coats in Yorkshire and have no plans to change this." | Burberry has said it was "proud to retain a strong manufacturing capability in the UK. We make our iconic trench coats in Yorkshire and have no plans to change this." |
| Company executives are also due to be questioned by MPs on the Welsh affairs select committee about the decision as part of an investigation into globalisation. | Company executives are also due to be questioned by MPs on the Welsh affairs select committee about the decision as part of an investigation into globalisation. |