Thamesteel goes into administration
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Workers discuss their
shock after hearing the news
Devastated workers at threatened
Sheppey metalworks Thamesteel have spoken of their anger as the
firm's future hangs in the balance.
Hundreds of workers met administrators
hoping to save the firm, in Brielle Way, Sheerness, today.
It followed an announcement yesterday
that Thamesteel, which employs 400 staff, had gone into
administration and workers won't be receiving their January
wages.
They were given more details at
today's meeting and were told the administrators are looking for a
buyer.
About 50 members of staff well be kept
on in the interim, but it will not be revealed who these workers
are until they receive a phone call tonight.
'It's a kick in the teeth' - Thamesteel workers' anger
Cllr Ken Pugh, who represents
Sheerness at Kent County Council, said: "I'm recommending to KCC
and Swale Borough Council that we have a task force and that we
support these people the best we can.
"It would be very similar to what we
set up at Pfizer - because this is Sheppey's version of the problem
that we had at Pfizer."
One woman summed up the mood of many
workers - similar to that felt in Kent when drugs giant Pfizer
pulled out of Sandwich last year and cut 2,400 jobs.
Beatta Mikolajczuk, whose husband Krzysztof works at the plant,
said: "We've got £6.45 in the account right now and three small
children under six - one of them needs nappies."
But as workers were still reeling from the news, Sittingbourne
and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson was vowing to fight for their
rights.
The backbencher, pictured left, said he had
written to Business Secretary Vince Cable, pressing for help.
Even if the firm couldn't be saved, he hoped help could be given
to ease the transition for teams at one of Sheppey's biggest
employers.
Mr Henderson said: "I suspect the government will say there is
nothing they can do to save the plant itself.
"But what they should be doing is putting resources into
ensuring the people who are employed there, should it close down,
are able to get help in finding other employment.
"The loss of one job is dissapointing. The loss of 400 jobs has
a serious impact on the local economy."
The announcement was made just hours after talks broke down on
a proposed investment deal with major international oil firm
Trafigura.
Staff were told on Tuesday they would not be
paid yesterday, and it has since emerged they will not be
receiving their January wages.
Roy Rickhuss, national officer for Community Union, which
represents workers, said: "It is a very worrying situation for all
our members at Thamesteel.
"We were aware that there were issues and there have been for
some time at Thamesteel but we were led to believe an investor had
been found and they were at an extremely advanced stage of
discussions with a potential investor.
"That deal was scheduled to be completed but it has fallen
through and we don't know at this stage why.
"There is a lot of anger and frustration. The workers have still
not been paid for work they have done, which is absolutely
disgraceful.
"Community believes that Sheerness steelmaking can have a future
and we will be doing all we can to save our steel in the coming
weeks and months."
Meanwhile, MidKent College is appealing for help from local
businesses after 20 engineering students and apprentices lost vital
roles at the firm.
Are you affected by this news? Contact the news desk on
01795 580300.
Wednesday, January 25 2012
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