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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| End of the line for Hoover plant | End of the line for Hoover plant |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Workers carrying a mock grave have marked the end of 60 years of washing machine manufacturing at Merthyr Tydfil's Hoover factory. | Workers carrying a mock grave have marked the end of 60 years of washing machine manufacturing at Merthyr Tydfil's Hoover factory. |
| They led a small procession from the plant on Friday after the last main production shift clocked off. | They led a small procession from the plant on Friday after the last main production shift clocked off. |
| The decision to end manufacturing means the loss of 337 jobs. Around 100 staff will remain at the site which retains its headquarter status. | The decision to end manufacturing means the loss of 337 jobs. Around 100 staff will remain at the site which retains its headquarter status. |
| There were about 50 people who took part in the march. | There were about 50 people who took part in the march. |
| Two brothers Malcolm and Gareth Williams have worked 72 years at the plant between them. | Two brothers Malcolm and Gareth Williams have worked 72 years at the plant between them. |
| Malcolm Williams, 57, from Merthyr said: "It was very sombre, we were shaking hands and there were a few hugs. | Malcolm Williams, 57, from Merthyr said: "It was very sombre, we were shaking hands and there were a few hugs. |
| Malcolm and Gareth Williams are both affected by the closure | Malcolm and Gareth Williams are both affected by the closure |
| "There were one or two tears shed but we knew this was coming for a long time. It wasn't a shock. | "There were one or two tears shed but we knew this was coming for a long time. It wasn't a shock. |
| "There's a lot of ghosts coming out with us today." | "There's a lot of ghosts coming out with us today." |
| Gareth Williams, 56, said: "We've got people here who are very motivated, target driven - highly skilled workforce that are on the scrapheap. | Gareth Williams, 56, said: "We've got people here who are very motivated, target driven - highly skilled workforce that are on the scrapheap. |
| "My father-in-law did 40 years here and my mother worked here. | "My father-in-law did 40 years here and my mother worked here. |
| "The workforce should be proud of themselves coming out here with their heads held high." | "The workforce should be proud of themselves coming out here with their heads held high." |
| Machine operator John Jones, 57, from Aberdare, said: "Everybody was down really today. I'm 58, will I get another job? Even people at 50 might not be able to find employment John Jones, Unite | Machine operator John Jones, 57, from Aberdare, said: "Everybody was down really today. I'm 58, will I get another job? Even people at 50 might not be able to find employment John Jones, Unite |
| "It's upsetting. We've been here years with all the people we know. | "It's upsetting. We've been here years with all the people we know. |
| "I don't think I'll find a job very easily at my age." | "I don't think I'll find a job very easily at my age." |
| Another John Jones, the factory convenor for Unite union said: "It's a really sad sad day - one of sheer disappointment. | Another John Jones, the factory convenor for Unite union said: "It's a really sad sad day - one of sheer disappointment. |
| "We hope the Welsh assembly and Merthyr council will get together and bring jobs back to the valleys. | "We hope the Welsh assembly and Merthyr council will get together and bring jobs back to the valleys. |
| "If that doesn't happen the impact will last four, five years. | "If that doesn't happen the impact will last four, five years. |
| "I'm 58, will I get another job? Even people at 50 might not be able to find employment." | "I'm 58, will I get another job? Even people at 50 might not be able to find employment." |
| With production being transferred abroad, the assembly government said its priority now was to support those who were losing their jobs. | With production being transferred abroad, the assembly government said its priority now was to support those who were losing their jobs. |
| It said a team of specialists, including representatives from Merthyr council and Hoover, had already started a study on how the factory site could be used. | It said a team of specialists, including representatives from Merthyr council and Hoover, had already started a study on how the factory site could be used. |
| "I understand fully the disappointment that very many people in Merthyr feel today," said Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones. | "I understand fully the disappointment that very many people in Merthyr feel today," said Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones. |
| "But the end of manufacturing means that a site of some 30 acres is now available for redevelopment. | "But the end of manufacturing means that a site of some 30 acres is now available for redevelopment. |
| "Our task now is to look to the future - and make good the loss of jobs and the impact of the closure on the community." | "Our task now is to look to the future - and make good the loss of jobs and the impact of the closure on the community." |