This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29531210
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| JTI Gallaher: Ballymena factory closure 'terrible news' | JTI Gallaher: Ballymena factory closure 'terrible news' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The loss of 877 jobs at a cigarette plant in County Antrim is "terrible news for many loyal workers", the first and deputy first ministers have said. | |
| On Tuesday, staff were told the JTI Gallaher cigarette factory plant in Ballymena is to close permanently by 2017. | On Tuesday, staff were told the JTI Gallaher cigarette factory plant in Ballymena is to close permanently by 2017. |
| Previously known as Gallahers, the firm has manufactured tobacco in Northern Ireland for more then 150 years. | Previously known as Gallahers, the firm has manufactured tobacco in Northern Ireland for more then 150 years. |
| It is a major employer and its closure is a significant blow to the economy. | It is a major employer and its closure is a significant blow to the economy. |
| Management at the factory said there was "shock and tears" as staff were told the news at a series of meetings. | Management at the factory said there was "shock and tears" as staff were told the news at a series of meetings. |
| The Ballymena factory is currently owned by Japan Tobacco International (JTI), which took over in 2007. | The Ballymena factory is currently owned by Japan Tobacco International (JTI), which took over in 2007. |
| JTI released a statement on Tuesday announcing its intention to "restructure its manufacturing facilities as a result of significant and sustained changes impacting its global business". | JTI released a statement on Tuesday announcing its intention to "restructure its manufacturing facilities as a result of significant and sustained changes impacting its global business". |
| It has proposed moving its existing plants in Northern Ireland and Belgium to other countries, such as Poland and Romania. | It has proposed moving its existing plants in Northern Ireland and Belgium to other countries, such as Poland and Romania. |
| Leading politicians have pledged to support the workers and said they would work to try to mitigate the job losses. | Leading politicians have pledged to support the workers and said they would work to try to mitigate the job losses. |