Renewed job fears at digger plant

Unions say a reduction in hours would be better than redunancies

A union says digger firm JCB is holding talks about further redundancies or shorter hours due to falling sales.

Meetings have been held with union representatives at a group level, who have confirmed the transmission plant in Wrexham would be affected.

It has already shed jobs in two waves of redundancies this year.

Mark Jones, from the GMB union, said: "We would rather have short term working - depending on the details - than redundancies."

Negotiations

He added: "We would like to ballot members next week to see if they would consider it."

"Negotiations have been taking place at a group level, but whatever decision is taken will affect Wrexham.

"We know the order book isn't clever and we need to cut costs. JCB has indicated that could involve redundancies."

JCB Transmissions made more than 50 redundancies in September at its two plants on Wrexham Industrial Estate.

Reduction

Jobs were also cut in April and May due to a big reduction in demand for the axles and transmissions, linked to the credit crunch.

North Wales AM Janet Ryder said: "This is bad news for staff at the plant in the run-up to Christmas.

"I very much hope that the company will see the sense in keeping these skilled workers on, possibly on short-time working, to ensure that their skills aren't lost."

The company has been asked for comment.

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