Factory jobs axe fear
A Shropshire manufacturing firm could axe 75 jobs, including office staff and nearly half of its shop floor workforce, union chiefs revealed today. A Shropshire manufacturing firm could axe 75 jobs, including office staff and nearly half of its shop floor workforce, union chiefs revealed today. Bosses at Telford's Link 51 on Halesfield 6 issued a notice of the possible redundancies to union chiefs yesterday afternoon. It indicates 75 jobs are under threat and union chiefs have said this includes 45 shop floor workers and 30 office staff. The company - the UK's largest manufacturers of steel shelving, pallet, racking and lockers - employs a total of 100 shop floor workers. The news comes as Comet at Telford's Bridge Retail Park announced 10 new jobs today. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
A Shropshire manufacturing firm could axe 75 jobs, including office staff and almost half of its shop floor workforce, union officials revealed today.Managers at Telford's Link 51 in Halesfield 6 issued a notice of the possible redundancies to the union yesterday afternoon. It indicates 75 jobs are under threat and union officials have said this includes 45 shop floor workers and 30 office staff.
The company - the UK's largest manufacturers of steel shelving, pallet racking and lockers - employs a total of 100 shop floor workers.
The news comes as Comet at Telford's Bridge Retail Park announced 10 new jobs today.
A 30-day consultation is now under way at Link 51 but if no new contracts are secured in that time redundancies will have to be made.
Stefan Blasczyk, spokesman for the former Amicus union, which is now known as Unite, said: "What has happened has come as no surprise.
"Local representatives have been engaged in discussions for some time over what has been a diminishing workload.
"Unite received an HR1 form from the company yesterday, which identified that a maximum of 75 jobs may be at risk.
"Thirty days' consultation has now begun."
Mr Blasczyk said if this could not be achieved he would urge the firm to seek voluntary redundancies.
He said a series of meetings had been held with Link 51 and would continue over the next month.
"I believe the company have been genuine in their attempts to avoid redundancy," said Mr Blasczyk.
Link 51 publicity manager David Buller confirmed redundancies were a possibility but declined to comment further.
The news comes four months after strike action at Link 51 in a row over pay.
The strikes were eventually called off after staff accepted a new pay deal but another pay review was due to take place next month.
The new jobs at electrical store Comet have been created as the store has undergone a revamp.
It will reopen as a refurbished two-storey store.
The new positions include front of house customer associates, warehouse and administration roles, including full and part time contracts.
By Kirsty Smallman
