UUP and DUP delegation meet Pearson over TK-EEC redundancies

Delegations from the UUP and DUP has today met with Enterprise Minister Ian Pearson to discuss the recently announced closure of seat belt manufacturer TK-EEC in east Belfast.

The DUP’s Peter Robinson, Iris Robinson, Robin Newton and George Ennis, joined the UUP's former Enterprise Minister, Sir Reg Empey as well as MLA's Michael Copeland, David McNarry and Dundonald UUP councillor David Drysdale, to discuss the 550 redundancies which will result from the closure of the factory in Dundonald.

Speaking after the meeting Sir Reg said he expressed his shock at the treatment of the workforce by the company but that the Minister revealed that Invest NI had just agreed a package of £200,000 with the company.

"We were anxious that urgent steps be taken to provide help and guidance to the workforce to enable them to be re-trained and be prepared for alternative work," he added.

Mr Robinson said: "With regard to the situation at TK-ECC, the DUP are most disappointed at the cold and clinical manner in which the news of closure was broken to the workforce, at a time when management had succeeded in improving productivity and efficiency at the site.

"What is crucial now is that DETI co-operate with their departmental colleagues at both DEL and DSD to ensure that all necessary assistance is provided to the workforce in regard to benefit entitlement, employment opportunties, career development and re-training."

Following the meeting the Minister said he shared his concern at the closure: "This morning’s meeting with local representatives was frank and constructive. I share their concern for their constituents, who have to bear the brunt of this bad news."

Trade union representatives have already met factory managers to discuss the situation. It is understood that all the jobs at the firm will go in the next few weeks.

The decision comes just a year after the company announced it was laying off 300 workers at the plant.

The plant, which at one time was one of the biggest employers in east Belfast with a workforce of more than 800, makes seatbelts for a range of car manufacturers, including Toyota, Honda and Vauxhall.

A downturn in the motor industry has been blamed for the decision.

(MB)