Axe hovers over 250 pottery jobs

Up to 250 jobs are at risk at Waterford Wedgwood in Stoke-on-Trent after the pottery firm said it was considering moving work to Indonesia.

The posts at its Barlaston site are at risk as part of a worldwide review aimed at cutting costs.

The firm, which also makes fine bone china at its factory in Jakarta, said it would try to minimise job losses.

The changes would begin in November if the proposals are approved. Workers could be offered voluntary redundancy.

'Lot of uncertainty'

The firm said "timely and decisive action" was required to return the group to profitability.

It has begun a formal consultation process with employees potentially affected by the proposals and said it would remain in close contact with the unions.

The company said it would actively encourage a voluntary redundancy programme to "mitigate potential compulsory redundancy situations".

The general secretary of the Unity union, Geoff Bagnall, said a lot of its members had been expecting this "for a long period of time".

"There is a lot of uncertainty on the shop floor," he said.

"Some of them will be of course devastated about losing their job.

"Some of them unfortunately will be relieved that the uncertainty's over."

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