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Technology firm's jobs threatened Technology firm's jobs threatened
(about 1 hour later)
Seagate Technology's base in Limavady may be about to close with the loss of hundreds of jobs. More than 900 jobs look set to go in Limavady with the closure of the town's Seagate plant, which makes components for hard disc drives.
The company has told the BBC it is calling all staff to a meeting later, but refused to comment on what is going to be announced. Staff have been called to a meeting later on Monday.
The American-owned company employs more than 900 people in Limavady and makes components for hard disc drives. The company will not reveal what the meeting is about, but a spokesperson did say "it's fair to assume it won't be a good news announcement".
It is understood First Minister Ian Paisley will meet workers and management at the site later on Monday.It is understood First Minister Ian Paisley will meet workers and management at the site later on Monday.
Seagate has received £12m from Invest Northern Ireland and its predecessor IDB since 2001.Seagate has received £12m from Invest Northern Ireland and its predecessor IDB since 2001.
The MP for the area, Gregory Campbell, said the plant's closure would have a dramatic impact on the region.The MP for the area, Gregory Campbell, said the plant's closure would have a dramatic impact on the region.
"This is the largest employer, not just in Limavady, but virtually the entire north west of Northern Ireland," the DUP man said."This is the largest employer, not just in Limavady, but virtually the entire north west of Northern Ireland," the DUP man said.
"It's a manufacturing base which we're sadly losing throughout Northern Ireland, so it's going to have a dramatic impact. "It's a manufacturing base which we're sadly losing throughout Northern Ireland, so it's going to have a dramatic impact."
"I'm going to be meeting management and certainly putting in a request for an urgent meeting with management today." Great shock
The town's former mayor, Jack Rankin of the UUP, said he feared the entire workforce could go.The town's former mayor, Jack Rankin of the UUP, said he feared the entire workforce could go.
"It will have a very big effect on the people of Limavady who work out there - people who have got young families and have mortgages."It will have a very big effect on the people of Limavady who work out there - people who have got young families and have mortgages.
"This certainly has come as a great shock to me. I hope it's only a rumour but I have my doubts.""This certainly has come as a great shock to me. I hope it's only a rumour but I have my doubts."
SDLP assembly member John Dallat warned it would be the latest in a series of cuts.SDLP assembly member John Dallat warned it would be the latest in a series of cuts.
"We think the factory is closing. It is a disaster for the workers," he said."We think the factory is closing. It is a disaster for the workers," he said.
"We have had a series of job losses in this area and this is very bad news for the local community.""We have had a series of job losses in this area and this is very bad news for the local community."
Sinn Fein's Francie Brolly accused Seagate and other global companies of behaving like "travelling circuses".
"They go to Limavady while they have the conditions that they require," Mr Brolly said.
"When they discover that somewhere in the world they can make more money, because labour costs are cheaper or whatever, they go there."