More fears over fan belt company

The Arntz Belting factory in Derry manufactures fan belts

Fears that Arntz Belting in Londonderry may close are growing among the company's workers.

On Wednesday, employees said they found documents that suggested people would be made redundant in August and the plant's closure by the end of the year.

The firm, which makes fan belts, went to a three-day week in December. In February, 29 people were made redundant, with a further 23 in May.

The company has described the situation as a "rumour mill".

Martin Deery, shop steward at Arntz, said workers at the plant were "frightened".

"There were four or five pages found on a production manager's desk," he said.

"At the moment management refuse to discuss it, they won't acknowledge the men at all in relation to it.

"Everyone is in the dark."

Foyle MP Mark Durkan said he had tried to engage with the company but has received no response.

"This is hugely frustrating for the workforce who are left facing this drip-feed of bad news," he said.

"To get indications in this way is just weird, wrong and just unacceptable."