Job losses confirmed at city port

ABP said 10% of the Southampton workforce will go

The owners of Southampton docks are set to shed 45 staff due to the downturn in the economy.

Associated British Ports (ABP) confirmed that 10% of its workforce would go at the Hampshire port.

In a statement the company said: "It is with regret that we can confirm it is necessary for a number of redundancies to be made at the Port of Southampton.

"The process will be conducted in full consultation with the relevant trade unions and staff representatives."

No timescale has been placed on the period of redundancy consultation.

Matthew Tipper, of Unite, said redundancy negotiations are due to start with ABP next Monday.