Two thirds of a workforce get Christmas blow - Bates

12.00.00am GMT Tue 16th Dec 2008

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates spoke of his shock as Stadco Powys announced it was to shed two thirds of its workforce in an attempt to stay afloat through the economic downturn.

Commenting Mick said: "There are many local families dependent upon a wage from Stadco, they must be devastated as the enormity of the situation is unfolding. Our hearts go out them. Many of the employees will have spent the weekend trying to understand what is happening and wondering whether their jobs will be saved. Whilst the company has said that jobs will not go before the end of March, it will be hard for everyone to continue working in these circumstances."

Mick has a meeting at the factory this morning [Tuesday December 16th] when he will be asking why it is necessary to send work to Shrewsbury and if it is possible to actually retain work locally instead. Keeping jobs in Llanfyllin will be top of his agenda. In the event of redundancies, Mick will be seeking the best possible terms for workers at Llanfyllin.

"I shall be talking to the Union and the company with a view to doing whatever I can to assist" added Mick. "I am shocked and deeply concerned about the impact of a reduction in workforce upon families in my constituency. It's a troubling time and we must all do everything we can to assist."

End/Diwedd