27/10/2015

Bangor Firm To Axe 34 Jobs

A Bangor firm is planning to axe 34 jobs, according to trade union Unite.

3M announced the job losses following transfer of Tier B tape manufacture to Italy.

Sean Smyth, Unite Regional Officer, said it is a "cruel shock" to the workforce.

Mr Smyth said: "3M Bangor has initiated a forty-five day consultation on proposals to reduce the workforce by thirty-four posts, with the majority going before the end of April 2016. They have also indicated that many of the job-losses may have to be delivered through compulsory redundancy.

"Unite employee representatives have expressed to us the depth of shock and concern existing within the workforce over this sudden announcement which will reduce employment at the Bangor site by one-third.

"Management is arguing that it is too expensive to produce the lower value-added Tier B tape at Bangor and is proposing to move this production to Grassobbio in Italy, leaving only production of the higher value-added Tier A tape in Bangor. However, the total volume of production of Tier B tape at Bangor is between 16-20% of production on site, considerably less than the third of the total workforce who now face redundancy."

Unite is seeking an urgent meeting with the management.

North Down DUP MLA Peter Weir DUP said: "The Bangor factory has produced excellent products down the years and I believe that the company need to think again on this proposal. They are undergoing a 45 day consultation exercise, and I hope they are genuinely approaching this with an open mind rather than just going through a façade. I call upon the company to draw back, and use this time to work productively with Invest NI and DETI to find a better way forward which retains and secures employment in Bangor."

(CD/LM)

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