Remploy workers ‘get ready to down tools’

Nov 15 2007 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

HEARTBROKEN workers at South Wales’ final Remploy factory earmarked for closure are ready to strike to save their jobs.

Disabled workers at the company’s Treforest factory, near Pontypridd, were shocked when all of their neighbouring factories were saved this week and they were the only one named to close.

The GMB union has proposed industrial action at the final 28 doomed plants across the UK as they argue they are almost all viable.

Treforest union representative Lloyd Harris and his colleagues have spent the last six months compiling a business plan to run the plant independently.

But Mr Harris said he was shocked that the company still found the furniture factory unviable.

The shop-floor worker said: “We are all in disbelief. We are the only South Wales factory set for closure.

“Now we are waiting for ballot papers to come from the union, but we are all ready to strike because we fell we have nothing to lose now.”

The unions are still trying to convince Work & Pensions Secretary Peter Hain that the factories are viable.

Mr Hain will make the final decision on closures in the coming weeks.

Mr Harris said: “We can’t understand why the Remploy board refused to listen to us.

“Our business plan proves this factory can make a profit.

“We are just hoping that we can convince Peter Hain.”