Factory job losses mount up

About 500 people demonstrated in south Wales last month against the loss of hundreds of jobs at telecoms equipment manufacturer Solectron. Workers and members of the public joined the protest in Newport which was mounted by the Communication Workers' Union as part of plans to fight the job cuts at the firm's Cwmcarn factory.

The workers were told in May that 520 jobs were being axed as part of a restructuring programme to turn the plant into a service-based operation. A 90-day consultation period is currently under way.

There are also fears for over 300 jobs at carpet yarn manufacturer Blackwood Carpet Yarns in Kilmarnock. The firm, which employs 320 workers, has gone into administration, though it is unclear how many jobs will be lost.