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Final shifts at aluminium plant Final shifts at aluminium plant
(about 1 hour later)
An aluminium smelting plant which opened almost 40 years ago is closing later with the loss of 390 jobs.An aluminium smelting plant which opened almost 40 years ago is closing later with the loss of 390 jobs.
Anglesey Aluminium, on the outskirts of Holyhead, has been the largest employer in north Wales.Anglesey Aluminium, on the outskirts of Holyhead, has been the largest employer in north Wales.
Joint owners Rio Tinto Group and Kaiser Aluminium decided to close after failing to secure a discounted energy deal, but they rejected £48m in aid.Joint owners Rio Tinto Group and Kaiser Aluminium decided to close after failing to secure a discounted energy deal, but they rejected £48m in aid.
A Unite union representative has said work prospects for those losing their jobs were "very bleak".A Unite union representative has said work prospects for those losing their jobs were "very bleak".
The company announced in August that it would cease its smelting work at the plant. The company announced in August that it would cease smelting work, where the raw materials are heated up to create aluminium, at the plant.
The plant's history has been closely tied in to an energy deal with the nuclear power station at Wylfa, 14 miles away. The plant has required a huge amount of energy to run - it uses 12% of the total electricity used in Wales.
Its history has been closely tied in to an energy deal with the nuclear power station at Wylfa, 14 miles away.
I will be sad to see it go not only for myself but for the 400-odd other workers who are going Richard Williams, worker
But the station is due to be decommissioned and there had been concerted efforts to secure the aluminium plant's future.But the station is due to be decommissioned and there had been concerted efforts to secure the aluminium plant's future.
The UK government had offered a £48m rescue package over four years but this was rejected by the plant's owners because it was "not enough to break even".The UK government had offered a £48m rescue package over four years but this was rejected by the plant's owners because it was "not enough to break even".
The decision provoked anger from workers and the Unite union staged a march through Holyhead in protest at the closure earlier this month.
Jeff Evans, a former shop steward at the plant and a local councillor said the closure could rip the heart out of the area.
"Some of the people I have spoken to this morning are the same people I worked with here at the plant, socialised with, played football with in the 70s," he said.
"There are two sides to the story. A plant which has been wonderful for the area, providing good jobs, apprenticeships, good money, earnings that people could live with, save with.
"But then you have this sad ending to this plant.
"Some of the people are saying they are going to have to move out of the area, homes are going to break up, they are having to move to other areas to find jobs."
'Sad''Sad'
Worker Richard Williams, who is due to complete his final shift later, said he felt sadness not only for himself but his colleagues.Worker Richard Williams, who is due to complete his final shift later, said he felt sadness not only for himself but his colleagues.
"I will be thinking I have been doing this for the last 24 years - coming out of the same place, doing the same thing," he said."I will be thinking I have been doing this for the last 24 years - coming out of the same place, doing the same thing," he said.
"I will be sad to see it go not only for myself but for the 400 odd other workers who are going." "I will be sad to see it go not only for myself but for the 400-odd other workers who are going."
Up to 80 staff will be kept on to maintain the site. Some staff said their families had suffered a double blow because other relatives worked for Eaton Electric, another firm in Holyhead which closed earlier this year with the loss of 250 jobs.
Up to 80 staff will be kept on to maintain the site and make products like aluminium sheets for cans of food.