FG Wilson Cut Nearly 800 Jobs

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has expressed his shock and sadness at news engineering firm FG Wilson is to make almost 800 workers redundant.

With premises across Larne, Monkstown, Belfast and Springvale, the firm is among the largest employers in Northern Ireland and only in July confirmed plans to shed 170 agency jobs – included in the latest total.

Across its four bases in Northern Ireland 760 jobs will be cut, a combination of salaried, production employees and agency workers. The cuts are linked to the firm's decision to move production of its 400 series generator sets to Tianjin, China.

Due to the latest job cuts announced today, the MLA for East Antrim has called on the Prime Minister to visit Northern Ireland immediately to address what is now a national economic blow.

Stewart Dickson MLA said: "This is shocking news that will devastate many workers and their families. Many more will also be affected by the fall out, as job losses to this extent will have a knock-on effect on secondary companies and groups in the area.

"Following the job cuts announced in July I held a meeting with the management of FG Wilson and was not satisfied with answers given regarding the company's future. I left that meeting with an uneasy feeling, which unfortunately has turned into a reality today.

"The landscape of Larne and Monkstown will be drastically altered forever, making this a national economic disaster. I am calling for the Prime Minister to meet with the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister immediately to ensure the correct support system is in place for all affected."

(CD/GK)