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Axed steel workers review options Axed steel workers review options
(about 2 hours later)
Steel workers from a closed plant in Newport are meeting later with unions to discuss their future.Steel workers from a closed plant in Newport are meeting later with unions to discuss their future.
The Alphasteel factory was put into administrative receivership two weeks ago.The Alphasteel factory was put into administrative receivership two weeks ago.
The workforce of nearly 400 people was sent home without weekly wages just four days before Christmas.The workforce of nearly 400 people was sent home without weekly wages just four days before Christmas.
Administrators said there has been widespread interest in the plant's future and they remain confident it can be sold as a going concern. Administrators said there has been widespread interest in the plant's future and they were confident it could be sold as a going concern.
Hundreds of staff from the plant are expected to gather in the city at lunchtime on Saturday to meet union leaders and discuss the latest developments.Hundreds of staff from the plant are expected to gather in the city at lunchtime on Saturday to meet union leaders and discuss the latest developments.
The steel workers will also be offered legal advice and support.The steel workers will also be offered legal advice and support.
"Viable""Viable"
Jenny Smith, the regional director of the union Community said the meeting will be an opportunity for the workforce to take stock. Jenny Smith, the regional director of the union Community, said the meeting will be an opportunity for the workforce to take stock.
"We believe that it's a very viable organisation," she said."We believe that it's a very viable organisation," she said.
"The demand for steel today is strong both globally and domestically and we are convinced that Alphasteel can have a viable future."The demand for steel today is strong both globally and domestically and we are convinced that Alphasteel can have a viable future.
"What we need to do now is everything possible to try and find a buyer who will give a future to Alphasteel and to our members who work there.""What we need to do now is everything possible to try and find a buyer who will give a future to Alphasteel and to our members who work there."
We're hopeful that it will open sooner rather than later and give people the opportunity to apply for their jobs again Brian Silver, Alphasteel workerWe're hopeful that it will open sooner rather than later and give people the opportunity to apply for their jobs again Brian Silver, Alphasteel worker
The company was founded in 1974 and in 2003 was taken over by Swiss-based Satico Ltd, which is linked to an Iranian company.The company was founded in 1974 and in 2003 was taken over by Swiss-based Satico Ltd, which is linked to an Iranian company.
It produced hot rolled steel sheets and coil at the mini rolling mill.It produced hot rolled steel sheets and coil at the mini rolling mill.
Since closing its gates on 21 December, only a skeleton staff of around 30 have worked at the site carrying out essential maintenance.Since closing its gates on 21 December, only a skeleton staff of around 30 have worked at the site carrying out essential maintenance.
But the administrators have said there has been a flurry of interest in the operation during the Christmas period, with approaches from about a dozen parties. But the administrators said there has been a flurry of interest in the operation during the Christmas period, with approaches from about a dozen parties.
SupportSupport
The meeting will be chaired by Brian Silver, who started working at the plant after being made redundant when Allied Steel and Wire collapsed in Cardiff.The meeting will be chaired by Brian Silver, who started working at the plant after being made redundant when Allied Steel and Wire collapsed in Cardiff.
He said workers will be given practical support as well as the latest updates on the business.He said workers will be given practical support as well as the latest updates on the business.
"There's legal things that they have to apply for like their redundancy packages," said Mr Silver."There's legal things that they have to apply for like their redundancy packages," said Mr Silver.
He also remained upbeat about Alphasteel's future: "If we can get it reopened in Newport it's not only for the people who work there, it's for the local community as well.He also remained upbeat about Alphasteel's future: "If we can get it reopened in Newport it's not only for the people who work there, it's for the local community as well.
"We're hopeful that it will open sooner rather than later and give people the opportunity to apply for their jobs again.""We're hopeful that it will open sooner rather than later and give people the opportunity to apply for their jobs again."