3M cut 185 jobs in Wales factory
More than half the jobs are to be lost at the plant in Gorseinon near Swansea. The jobs will be phased out over the next year.
3M manufacture products such as adhesives and aerosols. The redundancies are due to a decline in demand for products. This news follows an announcement in January that the factory’s future was uncertain. A further 27 positions are still under review.
The company has said that it will provide a range of support services including financial advice and training for alternative careers.
Plant manager John Bowers said “We have explored all options with employees throughout the consultation period and concluded that some fundamental changes are needed if our products are to remain competitive”.
3M have said that there would be no compulsory job losses before September 2008.
Mr Bowers also said “The challenge ahead of us is significant. However we have excellent people and a strong working relationship with union Unite, which will help us achieve the best outcome for all”.
In reaction to the news Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said “This is absolutely devastating. Its indicative of what’s been happening to manufacturing in the UK over the last 20 years and both governments don’t seem to be able to cope with the fact that the UK manufacturing base is being slowly but surely destroyed.”
www.3m.co.uk