Switch to Slovakia costs 300 jobs

LG Philips says it is cheaper to make TV parts abroad

An electronics firm is moving work from the north of England to Slovakia with the loss of 300 jobs.

Union leaders say the move, by LG Philips Display in Washington, Tyne and Wear, has come as a complete shock to workers.

The company, whose sister plant in nearby Durham won a £100m order for flat-screen televisions in January 2002, says it is cheaper for them to build the parts they need abroad.

It says the decision is aimed at maintaining a worldwide "competitive cost position".

We will consult with the company to try to avoid compulsory redundancies

Danny Carrigan, Amicus trade union

The transfer of work will take place over the next year, with about 120 of the current 420-strong workforce remaining at the Washington plant.

The cuts at the plant have been attacked as "bad news" by officials of the Amicus union.

National officer Danny Carrigan says he will press LG Philips to transfer workers to its Durham site, which is not affected by the cuts.

'Avoid redundancies'

He said: "This is bad news for the North East and we are shocked by the announcement.

"We will consult with the company to try to avoid compulsory redundancies."

Union officials say staff were told the company is switching production of coils for TV sets overseas because it is cheaper than building them in the UK

A spokesman for LG Philips said: "We are committed to helping the 300 employees affected by the transfer to find new jobs."

The first group of workers is expected to leave the Washington factory in the summer.