Unite condemns Linamar plant closure in Swansea and demands urgent
talks to save 200 jobs
7 July 2010
Unite, the UK's largest union, has condemned the announcement
today (Wednesday) by the auto components compay Linamar that it is
to close its Swansea plant by the end of 2010 with the loss of 200
jobs.
Linamar has stated it will transfer the work of the Swansea site to
different plants overseas.
Unite is demanding urgent talks with the company to get it to
reverse its decision and explore ways to keep the plant open and
save jobs.
Unite Wales regional secretary, Andy Richards, said: "The
closure of this plant at Swansea is a further devastating blow to
the local community and the automotive manufacturing sector in
Wales which has already suffered greatly from the economic
recession. Unite will do all it can to keep this plant open."
The Swansea plant, which employs around 200 workers, has been open
since the 1960s and was formerly owned by Ford and Visteon before
being acquired by the US-based Linamar Corporation in 2009.
''Even at this late stage I would invite the company to meet with
us, together with senior politicians, to explore any possibility of
keeping this plant open," added Andy Richards.
Unite is calling for government support for manufacturing and has
spoken with Welsh Assembly Government first minister, Carwyn Jones,
and Neath MP Peter Hain asking for their intervention to keep
Linamar open.
"We are jointly resolved to do everything possible to avoid this
further industrial disaster and call upon the company at senior
level to respond. We need to save what little is left of our
manufacturing base." concluded Andy.
Ends
For further information please contact Andy Richards at Unite the
union, 1 Cathedral Road Cardiff CF11 9SD, tel; 02920 394521
or Liane Groves Unite press officer 07793 661 657
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