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Remploy to shut five Welsh plants Remploy to shut five Welsh plants
(about 9 hours later)
Disabled employment service Remploy has said it will close five of its 12 Welsh factories and merge a further two.Disabled employment service Remploy has said it will close five of its 12 Welsh factories and merge a further two.
435 disabled and 30 non-disabled employees will be affected by the closures in Aberdare, Abertillery, Bridgend, Treforest and Wrexham. Some 435 disabled and 30 non-disabled employees will be affected by the closures in Aberdare, Abertillery, Bridgend, Treforest and Wrexham.
The Brynamman and Ystradgynlais plants will also merge with Neath Port Talbot. There will be no compulsory redundancies, said Remploy.The Brynamman and Ystradgynlais plants will also merge with Neath Port Talbot. There will be no compulsory redundancies, said Remploy.
But employees and unions said they were shocked by the scale of the plans.But employees and unions said they were shocked by the scale of the plans.
Remploy employs 5,000 disabled staff at its factories across the UK, which manufacture a variety of goods for firms.Remploy employs 5,000 disabled staff at its factories across the UK, which manufacture a variety of goods for firms.
All of the factories facing closure in Wales, which manufacture goods like wheelchair parts and furniture, were running at a loss said Remploy.All of the factories facing closure in Wales, which manufacture goods like wheelchair parts and furniture, were running at a loss said Remploy.
The Abertillery plant, which was first opened in 1949, lost £1,183,000 in the last financial year, while in Bridgend the loss ran at £824,000.The Abertillery plant, which was first opened in 1949, lost £1,183,000 in the last financial year, while in Bridgend the loss ran at £824,000.
This has come as a complete shock to us all - we did not expect such decimation Remploy employee Les WoodwardThis has come as a complete shock to us all - we did not expect such decimation Remploy employee Les Woodward
The factories at Brynamman, Treforest, Wrexham and Ystradgynlais, all part of Remploy's furniture business, last year lost £15.5m or £22,361 per disabled employee.The factories at Brynamman, Treforest, Wrexham and Ystradgynlais, all part of Remploy's furniture business, last year lost £15.5m or £22,361 per disabled employee.
Remploy said it wants to transfer costs from all of these loss-making factories to support 2,800 disabled people in mainstream employment in Wales.Remploy said it wants to transfer costs from all of these loss-making factories to support 2,800 disabled people in mainstream employment in Wales.
They claimed this was four times more than the 700 supported into open employment in Wales in 2007.They claimed this was four times more than the 700 supported into open employment in Wales in 2007.
A Remploy spokesman said all those affected would receive help and support to remain in employment for as long as they wanted to work.A Remploy spokesman said all those affected would receive help and support to remain in employment for as long as they wanted to work.
They could also opt for voluntary redundancy or early retirement.They could also opt for voluntary redundancy or early retirement.
A professional counsellor would also be available to offer support and advice, he said.A professional counsellor would also be available to offer support and advice, he said.
'Totally betrayed''Totally betrayed'
But some workers are upset the factories, some of which were first opened almost 60 years ago, are being shut down.But some workers are upset the factories, some of which were first opened almost 60 years ago, are being shut down.
Les Woodward, a disabled worker based in Swansea, south Wales, said: "We feel frustrated and totally betrayed by the company and the Government.Les Woodward, a disabled worker based in Swansea, south Wales, said: "We feel frustrated and totally betrayed by the company and the Government.
"This has come as a complete shock to us all - we did not expect such decimation.""This has come as a complete shock to us all - we did not expect such decimation."
Trade Unions have also threatened strike action over the closures and said they submitted an alternative business plan to Remploy which would have maintained the factory network while remaining within their £555m UK budget.Trade Unions have also threatened strike action over the closures and said they submitted an alternative business plan to Remploy which would have maintained the factory network while remaining within their £555m UK budget.
Jeff Burns, regional organiser of the GMB union in Wales said Remploy had "reacted with panic" to the losses at their factories.Jeff Burns, regional organiser of the GMB union in Wales said Remploy had "reacted with panic" to the losses at their factories.
Remploy employees marched through Cardiff to oppose modernisation plansRemploy employees marched through Cardiff to oppose modernisation plans
"We will fight them tooth and nail," he added."We will fight them tooth and nail," he added.
Disabled Remploy workers were among the 300 people who marched through Cardiff in March as part of a campaign to prevent the closure of their factories.Disabled Remploy workers were among the 300 people who marched through Cardiff in March as part of a campaign to prevent the closure of their factories.
The Remploy closures are part of UK-wide shake-up aimed at cutting costs and placing more disabled people into mainstream employment.The Remploy closures are part of UK-wide shake-up aimed at cutting costs and placing more disabled people into mainstream employment.
Unions were told on Tuesday that 32 of the firm's 83 UK factories will close and a further 11 will merge with other sites.Unions were told on Tuesday that 32 of the firm's 83 UK factories will close and a further 11 will merge with other sites.
Remploy employs 5,000 disabled staff, which manufacturing a variety of goods for firms.Remploy employs 5,000 disabled staff, which manufacturing a variety of goods for firms.
Charities including Mencap and Scope backed the company's plans, saying disabled people were more likely to lead fulfilling lives by working in an "inclusive environment".Charities including Mencap and Scope backed the company's plans, saying disabled people were more likely to lead fulfilling lives by working in an "inclusive environment".
Guy Phillips, Remploy's company secretary said manufacturing competition from overseas had contributed to the losses.Guy Phillips, Remploy's company secretary said manufacturing competition from overseas had contributed to the losses.