Aluminium plant chiefs urged to take offer to save jobs

Owners Rio Tinto say that high electricity prices have forced their hand, but Union chiefs and Anglesey councillors alike have condemned the move, especially in light of Tinto rejecting the offer of a ?48m cash boost from the Welsh Assembly. GraADVERTISEMENTham Rogers, regional officer of Unite, said: "They had a good offer from the Assembly of ?48 million and came back saying it was not enough, and they needed at least ?100 million. "Why the hell did they turn this offer down, it's ?1 million per month over four years, most companies would jump through hoops for it." He added: "The price of aluminium earlier this year was more or less at rock bottom but has now recovered. "I never give up hope but at the moment it doesn't look good, although we will pursue whatever we have to do to try and see the energy contract renewed." Anglesey councillor and economic development and tourism portfolio holder, Bryan Owen, said he was "massively disappointed" by the news. He added: "This is a big, big blow to Anglesey and especially to the employees at the plant. "Obviously the authorities and local members along with the Assembly and Westminster governments have all been in discussions and to be fair, the government has came up with a package worth nearly ?50 million that has been turned down - I think they have done all they can. "It's massively disappointing and our hearts go out to those who are about to be made redundant." A spokesperson at Anglesey Aluminium confirmed that around 300-350 people would be made redundant to coincide with the end of the energy deal on September 13, which will leave the plant with 80 workers after the smelter is turned off. Nick Cobban, spokesman for parent company Rio Tinto, added: "As we have said for many months, the energy contract expires in September and there will be some redundancies. "This is an energy intensive business, and once the existing power contract comes to an end, the cost of buying power from the National Grid is a problem in terms of operating the smelter." source:www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk