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'Devastating' jobs losses warning 'Devastating' jobs losses warning
(31 minutes later)
Meetings are being called over plans to cut 265 electronics factory jobs in Anglesey, which have been described as a potential "disaster" for the area.Meetings are being called over plans to cut 265 electronics factory jobs in Anglesey, which have been described as a potential "disaster" for the area.
Eaton Electric in Holyhead could close in December 2009, laying off workers in March, and move work to Europe, where production costs are up to 35% lower.Eaton Electric in Holyhead could close in December 2009, laying off workers in March, and move work to Europe, where production costs are up to 35% lower.
Anglesey council leader Phil Fowlie said it was potentially devastating.Anglesey council leader Phil Fowlie said it was potentially devastating.
Local AM and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones is to meet senior managers of the Birmingham company.Local AM and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones is to meet senior managers of the Birmingham company.
Eaton, which makes miniature circuit breakers, said the proposal to lay off so many employees and close the site reflected current market conditions with its foreign competitors undercutting and out-producing their Welsh operation from abroadEaton, which makes miniature circuit breakers, said the proposal to lay off so many employees and close the site reflected current market conditions with its foreign competitors undercutting and out-producing their Welsh operation from abroad
It said the plans were all part of its efforts to "increase efficiency and continue to optimise global competitiveness".It said the plans were all part of its efforts to "increase efficiency and continue to optimise global competitiveness".
Mr Fowlie said: "Eaton Electrics provides employment for more than 260 people, and I will do everything in my power to safeguard their jobs. A lot of people have families here - husbands and wives - it will have a major knock-on effect Glyn Haines, Unite Mr Fowlie said: "Eaton Electrics provides employment for more than 260 people, and I will do everything in my power to safeguard their jobs. A lot of people have families here - husbands and wives - it will have a major knock-on effect Glyn Haines, Unite class="" href="/1/hi/wales/north_west/7663011.stm">265 jobs threatened at plant class="" href="/1/hi/wales/north_west/7662492.stm">Island reels from latest job cuts
"We have already been in contact with the Welsh Assembly Government and Albert Owen MP, so that we can work together and make this a top priority.""We have already been in contact with the Welsh Assembly Government and Albert Owen MP, so that we can work together and make this a top priority."
He added, "Unfortunately, it seems that the current economic climate is now beginning to bite hard here on Anglesey.He added, "Unfortunately, it seems that the current economic climate is now beginning to bite hard here on Anglesey.
"This news was not completely unexpected, but it is still nevertheless extremely hard to bear. Eaton Electrics is a major employer on the Island and its loss would represent a devastating blow for Holyhead and the wider community.""This news was not completely unexpected, but it is still nevertheless extremely hard to bear. Eaton Electrics is a major employer on the Island and its loss would represent a devastating blow for Holyhead and the wider community."
Mr Fowlie will ask the chief executive of parent company MEM UK for an urgent meeting, and has asked the Welsh Assembly Government and local MP Albert Owen to work together with the counci.Mr Fowlie will ask the chief executive of parent company MEM UK for an urgent meeting, and has asked the Welsh Assembly Government and local MP Albert Owen to work together with the counci.
He wants to see if the council can "provide any assistance to help save local jobs during the all-important consultation period, which the company has now launched."He wants to see if the council can "provide any assistance to help save local jobs during the all-important consultation period, which the company has now launched."
The closure of the plant will take place between March and December next year if it is approved.The closure of the plant will take place between March and December next year if it is approved.
Workers were told to go home early on Thursday after being told of the closure plans.Workers were told to go home early on Thursday after being told of the closure plans.
Local Plaid councillor Trevor Lloyd Hughes said that if the job cuts did take place then it would prove difficult for the local community to cope financially-speaking.Local Plaid councillor Trevor Lloyd Hughes said that if the job cuts did take place then it would prove difficult for the local community to cope financially-speaking.
Circuit breakersCircuit breakers
"It's a disaster," he said. "You cannot realise how much of a disaster it is for the people of Holyhead."It's a disaster," he said. "You cannot realise how much of a disaster it is for the people of Holyhead.
"I feel sorry for the employees, especially with the credit crunch.""I feel sorry for the employees, especially with the credit crunch."
The plant currently makes three million circuit breakers a year and started out as the Midland Electric Manufacturing Company in 1960.The plant currently makes three million circuit breakers a year and started out as the Midland Electric Manufacturing Company in 1960.
The news did not come as a surprise to the workers, although many of the nearly 300 workers at the plant were upset at finally finding out.The news did not come as a surprise to the workers, although many of the nearly 300 workers at the plant were upset at finally finding out.
Unite union representative Glyn Haines said: "It was half-expected. There's a lot of upset people here.Unite union representative Glyn Haines said: "It was half-expected. There's a lot of upset people here.
"A lot of people have families here - husbands and wives - it will have a major knock-on effect. This is a result of market conditions Michael Wilson, plant manager"A lot of people have families here - husbands and wives - it will have a major knock-on effect. This is a result of market conditions Michael Wilson, plant manager
"A lot of the ladies here are in tears - they've been here many, many years.""A lot of the ladies here are in tears - they've been here many, many years."
The company said it appreciated the workers' "hard work and dedication" and would offer them "extensive support" in finding new jobs and a severance package.The company said it appreciated the workers' "hard work and dedication" and would offer them "extensive support" in finding new jobs and a severance package.
But plant manager Michael Wilson said the harsh realities of cheaper, foreign competition had finally taken its toll on the viability of the plant.But plant manager Michael Wilson said the harsh realities of cheaper, foreign competition had finally taken its toll on the viability of the plant.
"This is a result of market conditions," he said. "We've been for a number of years competing against a market that long left the UK and that is now making products in low-cost countries, with lots of automations and in far greater numbers than we make.""This is a result of market conditions," he said. "We've been for a number of years competing against a market that long left the UK and that is now making products in low-cost countries, with lots of automations and in far greater numbers than we make."
Eaton bought out Germany's Moeller electronics group in April and is looking to transfer production to its Moeller's European plants, which produce 60m circuit breakers a year.Eaton bought out Germany's Moeller electronics group in April and is looking to transfer production to its Moeller's European plants, which produce 60m circuit breakers a year.