DEVASTATING
700 employees work their final shift as food factory closes after 50 years
MORE than 700 workers finished their final day at a food plant in Anglesey in what is a ‘devastating blow’ for the island.
2 Sisters announced the Llangefni abattoir site was at risk last month.
Details around the closure suggested that the plant was old and would require significant investment to be brought up to the same standard as the other locations.
Later 2 Sisters announced that it would shut on Friday last week for the final time after more than 50 years in operation.
The plant closed at 9am, in what was a tough and emotional day for workers, their families and those across the island, as the plant has been a major employer since opening in 1970.
Support was on hand from political parties across the spectrum, as local councils did their bit to try and assist these workers with what comes next.
Ynys Môn MS Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “This is very difficult day for us as a community, my thoughts today are with all the hundreds of workers who are leaving here for the last time today, many who have worked here for a number of years.
“Some workers have managed to find employment already, but many are facing an uncertain future.”
“It is our job as local representatives to make sure no stone is left unturned to look for new employment opportunities, retraining opportunities, so we can find hope for people who facing such a challenging prospect of time without work.
“It has been disappointing that we had a consultation period that felt as if it was never a consultation to try and save jobs, that has been very difficult. Now, we are where we are as a community, and we’ll have to pull together to help those that have been affected. We have to find a way forward, we have to find a future for the people who have lost their jobs, it is a devastating blow.
“700 jobs is massive anywhere, in a community like this it is simply enormous.”
Welsh Conservative Leader, Andrew RT Davies MS said: “The closure of the 2 Sisters Llangefni site, resulting in 700 jobs being lost, is devastating news for the people of Anglesey and North Wales. With the chicken processing plant contributing massively to the economy of Anglesey over the last 50 years, it’s crucially important that those impacted receive the support that they need, and also deserve.
“Nevertheless, I know the hardworking Member of Parliament for Anglesey, Virginia Crosbie MP, will be working tirelessly with both the UK Government, and Anglesey Council, to ensure we see new opportunities brought to Anglesey. We also need to see support brought forward from the Welsh Government.
“Nevertheless, we have already seen great work in action from the UK Government and Virginia Crosbie MP, with the fantastic news of a freeport in Anglesey, which will bring muchneeded jobs and investment to Anglesey and North Wales.”
Over the last few weeks a support centre has been set up at the Anglesey Business Centre to offer direction to those affected and will remain in available for some time yet.
Included in this are the Unions supporting those affected, Coleg Menai offering retraining opportunities, the Department of Work and Pensions and Mon CF all on hand to help.
At the business centre Rhun ap Iorweth added: “I spoke with one gentleman who’d been working at the plant for 30 years, a committed worker who had put a vast majority of his working life into the company and now he’s looking to start again, not sure which direction he’s going to go in.
“We have to make sure that people like him feel like they have support and that they have hope at this most challenging of times.”
Last Friday though, many of the staff left the plant saying fond farewells to one another, with some returning home to spend time with their families, while others made their way to the pub, knowing that the shift’s end was just the start of much longer process.