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March over manufacturing 'death' 'Funeral' march on closing plant
(about 3 hours later)
Protesters will stage a "funeral" march in Talbot Green later against the closure of a pencil factory and the "death" of local manufacturing. Workers and their families at a threatened stationery plant have staged a "funeral" march in south Wales.
Production will cease at Staedtler's Rhondda Cynon Taff plant in 2008 with an unspecified number of job losses. Protesters walked to the sound of a New Orleans band to Staedtler's factory in Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taf where production will cease in 2008.
A sales, marketing and administration complex will remain, operating from new premises in the Pontyclun area. The GMB Union said the demonstration was also to signify the "death" of the manufacturing industry in the locality.
The Welsh Assembly Government said it was working to develop and retain Wales's manufacturing sector.The Welsh Assembly Government said it was working to develop and retain Wales's manufacturing sector.
In June, Staedtler announced its intention to close the Pontyclun production and warehousing facilities. Pontypridd's AM Jane Davidson and MP Kim Howells joined union representatives to tell the rally of around 60 people about ongoing work to try and persuade the company to change its minds about the closure.
We are working closely with the sector to help companies modernise, innovate and create higher skilled jobs - which are less vulnerable to low wage competition Welsh Assembly Government spokespersonWe are working closely with the sector to help companies modernise, innovate and create higher skilled jobs - which are less vulnerable to low wage competition Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson
They said that so far the company was not prepared to enter into dialogue, but Staedtler has said its discussions with the unions are ongoing.
In June, the firm announced its intention to close the Pontyclun production and warehousing facilities.
A sales, marketing and administration complex will remain, operating from new premises in the area.
The German firm said the plans were part of a wider move to concentrate production at fewer locations.The German firm said the plans were part of a wider move to concentrate production at fewer locations.
UK managing director John Evans said at the time the closure was "in no way a reflection on the company's employees or on its past performance". UK managing director John Evans said at the time that the closure was "in no way a reflection on the company's employees or on its past performance".
'Bad news'
Expressing regret for the decision which would result in job losses, he said change was "inevitable" if the company was to meet the demands of the global market.Expressing regret for the decision which would result in job losses, he said change was "inevitable" if the company was to meet the demands of the global market.
But the GMB Union, which is behind Saturday's demonstration, is fighting the closure. But the GMB Union, which was behind Saturday's demonstration, is fighting the closure.
It has planned a march to the tune of "Where the Saints Go Marching In", culminating in a short rally at the Staedtler plant. Branch secretary Brian Farr said he understood that most of the production was being moved to Germany, where labour costs were actually higher.
The union has called on both the Welsh Assembly and UK Governments to "step in and give its workers the same protection as other European countries". Mr Farr said the move was "bad news" for south Wales, and called on the Welsh assembly and UK Governments to provide more protection for workers.
He claimed it was much more difficult for manufacturers to close factories in other European countries.
He said: "When you consider the number of manufacturing industries in the south Wales area that have shut over the last couple of years, it's absolutely incredible that the Welsh government - and even indeed this Labour government - haven't stepped in and given us some sort of protection as they've got in Europe."
'Investments''Investments'
A spokesperson for the Welsh Assembly Government said the manufacturing sector in Wales had fared better than the rest of the UK with regard to globalisation.A spokesperson for the Welsh Assembly Government said the manufacturing sector in Wales had fared better than the rest of the UK with regard to globalisation.
"However, we are working closely with the sector to help companies modernise, innovate and create higher skilled jobs - which are less vulnerable to low wage competition.""However, we are working closely with the sector to help companies modernise, innovate and create higher skilled jobs - which are less vulnerable to low wage competition."
That support, along with investments in transport and communications would ensure Wales develops and retains its manufacturing sector, the spokesperson added.That support, along with investments in transport and communications would ensure Wales develops and retains its manufacturing sector, the spokesperson added.