Downsizing deals - Deal could save 250 Anglesey Aluminium jobs

Daily Post reported that up to 250 jobs could be saved at Anglesey Aluminium after the firm put a counter proposal to the government. The full board went into a meeting recently to discuss the EUR 48 million Government rescue package to keep smelting at Holyhead. Recently a spokeswoman revealed Anglesey Aluminium board members from parent companies Rio Tinto Alcan and Kaiser Aluminium had drawn up a counter proposal. This would see one potline maintained at the plant, which currently runs two potlines, until the end of 2010. The spokeswoman said that this would give the company time to establish if plans for a EUR 600 million biomass plant on the site would be successful. An outline of the proposal has been given to the Government with negotiations now expected to continue this week. The company, which employs around 460 staff, had planned to close its smelting operation in September after failing to secure a new power deal. They have already had 140 voluntary redundancies with a further 250 redundancies planned. This would have seen the plant move to re-melt, with just 80 jobs retained. The Government offered EUR 48 million over 4 years to keep the entire plant open until its biomass plant would come online in 2013. Anglesey MP Mr Albert Owen welcomed the fact the company wanted further negotiations. He said that “The objective has to be the retention of aluminium production at the plant and to save as many jobs as possible. The workforce has shown its dedication and the Government has shown real commitment.” Mr Peter Hain Welsh Secretary said that “They have taken our offer very seriously and I am pleased to say that negotiations will now continue over the next week or so to try to reach a successful conclusion.” Cllr Brian Owen, Anglesey council’s economic portfolio holder said that “We are greatly encouraged by this news to save jobs at the 11th hour.” (Sourced from Daily Post)