MP Geoffrey Cox pledges support for axed Tyco Electronics workers
By North Devon Journal | Thursday, January 24, 2013, 07:30
THE MP for Torridge and West Devon has pledged to do everything in his power to help 250 staff at TE Connectivity in Bideford who will lose their jobs this year.
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CLOSING: TE Connectivity, formerly Tyco, at East the Water, Bideford.
MP Geoffrey Cox told the Journal he is working to convene a "summit meeting" between Devon County Council, Torridge District Council and government agencies in the next few weeks after learning that TE Connectivity is to be closed down.
The company, formerly known as Tyco Electronics and which makes parts for electronic goods, is to be closed down with the loss of around 250 jobs by the end of 2013.
The news comes after TE's American parent company confirmed its plans to move all manufacturing operations at its Bideford factory to another site.
The company confirmed staff had been gathered together at around 2pm last Thursday to be told the news.
TE spokesman Tom Peacock confirmed "a proposal" to close the factory was announced to employees.
He explained , the company was required to go through consultation over the redundancies.
"Basically what we've announced is a proposal to consolidate all our manufacturing at one or two sites," he said.
He added that the closure of the factory is expected to be complete by the end of 2013, although a few staff in office-based roles are not affected by the proposals.
"Whether or not those staff will remain in Bideford we don't know," he said.
Comments
Actually, the local councils (along with Sir Geoffrey of Cox) could help by encouraging investment in North Devon and Torridge, instead of refusing planning for investment projects left, right and centre.
Cornwall is a good example of how to make the most of such opportunities without selling your soul to big businesses.
I should also point out that Oldtimer is absolutely correct. This is a tragedy for Bideford.
By Nickers_99 at 12:22 on 24/01/13
ReportAnd exactly how is Sir Geoffrey going to help? Pay them out of his combined three-figure salary? What use is a summit meeting - the local councils are powerless when it comes to what a private company wants to do with their business.
This smacks of wanting to be seen to be doing something.
By Nickers_99 at 12:19 on 24/01/13
ReportThis story got lost in all the snow hoo-haa, but actually it's a tragedy for Bideford. In an area like this 250 jobs is a lot of jobs!!
By oldtimer at 11:22 on 24/01/13
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