Union 'disappointed' over Aga redundancies in Shropshire

It was revealed yesterday that the high-end oven manufacturer is planning to axe nearly 70 jobs at its sites in Ketley and Coalbrookdale, following a strategic review of the business by new owners Middleby Corp.

These will include 35 manufacturing jobs out of 210 at the two sites, plus another 30 staff roles from its assembly plant at Ketley. The Aga shop at the factory is also set to close.

Now Unite, which represents workers on the site, has said it plans to oppose compulsory redundancies.

Unite regional officer Matt Jones said: "Unite and our members are disappointed by the proposed restructure and redundancies at both the Aga Ketley and Coalbrookdale sites.

"The HR1 form was issued on Tuesday starting a 45-day consultation period. This will be extended to accommodate the Christmas shut down.

He added: "There has been interest from staff applying for proposed voluntary redundancy.

"Unite's aim is to maintain good quality and enduring jobs for members and we will be working with the AGA management throughout the consultation period to secure as many jobs as possible.

"Unite is strongly opposed to any compulsory redundancies and will do whatever possible to support our members during this difficult time."

Another 30 jobs are facing the axe at Aga shops across the country, but no others will close as part of the restructure.

The company has been looking at the "strategic aims" of the business since it completed a £129 million takeover of the business, under pressure from American rival Whirlpool, in July.

The acquisition helped boost Middleby's revenue in the third quarter of the year, when overall sales rose by 11.1 per cent to 449 million dollars (£295.5 million).

Despite the shock announcement this week, Middleby says it has no plans to shut either site, and that it hopes to complete the cuts with voluntary redundancies.