MP seeks answers over redundancies (From Barry And District News)

MP seeks answers over redundancies

LOCAL MP John Smith is demanding answers from the boss of a Barry chemical plant, after finding out in the Barry and District News that half of the company's workforce will be made redundant.

Two weeks ago we broke the news that Hexion Speciality Chemicals on Sully Moors Road will make between 40 and 50 workers redundant next year - transferring their posts to Germany and Italy.

The company had made no formal announcement about the redundancies until approached by reporter Gill Farmer.

Mr Smith said: "I am surprised at the number of workers affected by this decision. I have had detailed discussions with the workers at the chemical plant and I have great cause for concern over the way this company is treating their workers.

"I shall be asking for a meeting with the managing director of the company at the first opportunity to try to sort out these problems."

A few years ago Hexion Speciality chemicals also made a group of Southampton workers redundant, but union representative Phil Morgan believes the Southampton workers were offered a better deal.

He said: "I know the package that the workers in Southampton had was better than this one, but I don't understand why. We should be getting the same package as they did. Their factory closed down and they were offered positions at our plant in Barry. But there is nowhere for them to go if they lose their jobs here. What will families do if they have no work in the town?"