Anglesey Aluminium plant shedding 250 jobs

A FURTHER 250 workers at Anglesey Aluminium will lose their jobs, according to a joint statement released by the plant and worker's union Unite. The 250 will be handed compulsory redundancy as the business downsizes in September, after a new power deal could not be brokered to keep the smelter operational. As a result, aluminium production at the plant will end at the end of September. A spokesperson for Anglesey Aluminium said: "Despite considerable efforts by Anglesey Aluminium Metal Ltd, Unite the Union and Governments, no solution has been found yet regarding a commercially viable power contract for the long term future of Anglesey Aluminium. "In line with timetables announced earlier, today AAM will inform staff of a further 250 redundancies. "This is in addition to the voluntary redundancies confirmed last week." The spokesperson added: "This timetable will see the end of Primary aluminium production at the Holyhead site at the end of September as previously foreshadowed in the announcement in January this year." The statement goes on to say that the company has established an onsite careers centre to smooth the transition for staff, and that planning applications for a Biomass plant to produce onsite electricity, will be submitted shortly. However, the news has been met with dismay by Anglesey AM and Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, who has insisted that he would keep fighting to persuade the company to accept a support package of ?48m from the Welsh Assembly, and will meet company and union representatives today. He said: "The Welsh Assembly Government has been working very hard with the UK Government to try and safeguard jobs at Anglesey Aluminium and I am very disappointed that so far the company has turned down the support package offered to them. "I want the company to be aware of our determination to do everything possible to save the jobs - it is important that we look at every avenue to try and keep as many jobs here as possible and keep these skills on Anglesey." source:www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk