Jobs go at glass plant

The company says it remains committed to County Durham

Almost 100 jobs are being lost at a glass company in County Durham.

Workers at glass processing firm Solaglas have been told the firm is to close its domestic appliance department on 23 July.

The managing director of the French-owned company, Alistair Higgins, said the "regretful" decision was made because of current market conditions.

The news came just two weeks after an emergency summit was held in the town to discuss the growing number of job losses in the manufacturing sector.

Job seeking

Allan Gray, of the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G), told BBC News Online, the news had been a "bombshell" the 186-strong workforce.

Mr Higgins said: "We will be making every effort to support our employees and their families at this difficult time.

"We are actively seeking alternative employment opportunities for staff within the Saint-Gobain group, other glass processing companies, via our suppliers and customers.

"We will also be providing advice on job seeking, re-training, pensions, financial management and planning and retirement."

Mr Gray said the T&G had requested a meeting with Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster and regional development agency One NorthEast to discuss the situation.

'Breach of contract'

He said: "We were only informed on Friday there may be some redundancies and consultations began on Monday.

"There isn't really a great lot we can do. If we take industrial action that will be deemed a breach of contract.

"The company has other sites, but the closest are in Bradford and Scotland so I think it will be very difficult to find new jobs for the workers.

"We think the losses are likely to go among the process workers, on the manufacturing side.

"The workers are very, very annoyed at what has happened."

Mr Higgins added that company was "committed" to manufacturing in Bishop Auckland and said he hoped the move would protect the remaining 87 jobs.