SINN Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin is to hold crunch talks with the management of Derry’s INVISTA text tile maker this morning.
It follows yesterday’s announcement by the US firm that it was seeking 48 voluntary redundancies at its Maydown plant.
The Foyle MLA said she meeting management over her concerns and said workers need clarity.
She said they needed information on their options and redundancy terms.
Said Ms McLaughlin: “News that Invista is seeking 48 redundancies at its plant in Maydown is very worrying.
“This will undoubtedly come as a shock to the employees involved and their families, particularly in the run-up to Christmas.
“The workers need clarity on the way forward.
“They need information on their options and the terms of the redundancy package.”
“This announcement is a blow to the local economy in the north west.
“I would call on management at the company to work with staff and trade unions to keep employees up to date during this difficult time.
“They should also make sure that retraining and upskilling opportunities are put in place for the workers involved to help them secure alternative employment.”
Maeve McLaughlin meeting INVISTA management today for crunch talks over redundancies
INVISTA say there are no plans for compulsory redundancy scheme “at this time”.
In a statement, Maydown site manager Kevin Kelly said: “Given the increasingly competitive market, INVISTA has offered employees at its Maydown site the opportunity to apply for severance under a voluntary severance offer to improve the site’s productivity.
“The offer aims to help create a sustainable staffing profile, appropriate to INVISTA Maydown’s Operations plans and needs for the future.
“We intend to assess the level of interest of the voluntary offer before considering our next step.
“There are no plans for a compulsory redundancy exercise at this time,” added Mr Kelly.
It is a huge blow for the city and its economy in the run up Christmas.
In the past seven days over 1,000 jobs have been lost in the manufacture industry.
Unite say that 2,500 high-value manufacturing jobs have been lost in the North of Ireland in the past year.
The union said those who say manufacturing in North of Ireland is not in crisis “are in denial”.
It says the “apathy and inaction that have characterised the NI Executive’s approach to manufacturing must end now”
INVISTA is a US firm which was once part of the DuPont group.
It manufactures Lycra at its Maydown plant.
