Union blasts 'crazy' closure

Closure of the factory was announced in March

The final day of production is underway at a factory in Sunderland before the work is transferred to Germany.

The Federal Mogul factory in Sunderland, which makes piston rings for the car industry, announced in March it was to close with the loss of 400 jobs.

Trade unions are outraged that the components will now be made in Germany - only for them to be shipped back to Wearside for use at the Nissan plant.

The UK-arm of the American-owned company went into receivership in January this year.

This is a very highly skilled, motivated workforce and they don't deserve what has happened to them

Mel Barras, Amicus

Most of the 400-strong workforce have already left their jobs after completing orders two weeks ahead of schedule.

Mel Barras, regional officer of trade union Amicus told BBC Radio Newcastle: "There is quite a few [of the workforce] who haven't managed to find any work.

"They are trying to get other manufacturing firms interested in the factory but it is very difficult, most manufacturing is moving out of the UK.

"It is very sad. This is a very highly skilled, motivated workforce and they don't deserve what has happened to them.

"This kind of thing is happening every other week and I think the Government has to sit up and take notice."

Order book

Mr Barras called the decision to transfer production to Germany "crazy".

He said the factory had a healthy order book when the parent company decided to close the UK operation and move everything to the continent.

He said: "I don't think it is cheaper to make them in Germany. Federal Mogul has taken a decision that is absolutely crazy to me.

"If they had gone to Poland or the Czech Republic I think I could have understood it more, because they get about £1.20 an hour.

"The German workers have far better terms and conditions that we have... that is what makes the decision crazy."