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Morgan to meet top Bosch managers Morgan claims Bosch 'legacy' deal
(about 10 hours later)
Former First Minister Rhodri Morgan is part of a delegation to senior Bosch managers in Germany calling for jobs to be saved at its south Wales plant. Former First Minister Rhodri Morgan and Finance Minister Jane Hutt say top Bosch managers have pledged "the best possible legacy" for its Wales plant.
The car parts maker confirmed last week its plant at Miskin, near Llantrisant, will shut with the loss of 900 jobs. They said the company had agreed to work with the assembly government on the use of the site, which is to close.
The assembly government wants the site to make alternative products but an offer has already been rejected. They led a delegation to Stuttgart over the 900-job plant, near Llantrisant.
Mr Morgan, Finance Minister Jane Hutt, three Conservative AMs and Unite union officials are flying to Stuttgart. Three Conservative AMs also held talks with the firm and welcomed a commitment "to establish a working group on managing the impact of closure".
Bosch has said the "worst economic downturn for many decades" was behind its decision to transfer work from its Welsh site to Hungary. Bosch has said the "worst economic downturn for many decades" was behind its decision to transfer work from the site to Hungary.
Last week First Minister Carwyn Jones and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones travelled to Stuttgart to urge the company to keep producing at Miskin. Last week First Minister Carwyn Jones and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones travelled to Stuttgart to urge the company to stay at Miskin.
During our meeting we also emphasised the need for full community involvement, including the Vale and local community councils and all political parties Andrew RT Davies, Conservative AM
But their series of proposals, including developing new product lines and retaining research and development in Wales, were declined.But their series of proposals, including developing new product lines and retaining research and development in Wales, were declined.
Ms Hutt said: "This is not the end of the story for Bosch in Wales. In a statement last week, the firm said it would look at training support for redundant employees, the potential future use of its Welsh site, and the opportunities for its Welsh suppliers at other Bosch outlets.
"Bosch has recognised the value, skill and dedication of the workforce here in the Vale of Glamorgan plant and we believe they have a moral obligation to stay in Wales and support new opportunities given the investment we have put into Bosch since they came here over 20 years ago." After Tuesday's meeting Mr Morgan and Ms Hutt issued a statement which read: "We secured an agreement that Bosch would work together with the Welsh Assembly Government and workforce representatives to secure the best possible legacy for not only the current skilled workforce at the Vale plant, but also the supply chain companies, and future employment opportunities at the plant and the use of the 330,000 sq ft building complex."
Andrew RT Davies, who is meeting Bosch managers along with fellow Tory AMs David Melding and Alun Cairns, said: "We want to impress upon Bosch executives in the strongest possible terms just how important their factory is to the local economy in south Wales and the difficulties all this uncertainty is bringing to families who depend on Bosch employment at Miskin." Conservative AM Alun Cairns, who was joined by fellow Tories Andrew RT Davies and David Melding at Bosch's German HQ, said: "It was a constructive meeting and the Bosch directors welcomed our involvement.
"They were also grateful for our insight into local community concerns highlighted over the future of the site."
Mr Davies said: "We were pleased with Bosch's commitment to establish a working group on managing the impact of closure.
"During our meeting we also emphasised the need for full community involvement, including the Vale and local community councils and all political parties."