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Jobs blow for steel firm over transfer of contract
ROTHERHAM'S giant Corus plant has suffered a further jobs blow after it was revealed plans to transfer work from the West Midlands were being scrapped.
In January bosses at Corus Engineering Steels - part of the Indian-based Tata group - announced more than 700 jobs were to go at the Aldwarke plant as part of a restructuring plan which would see more than 3,500 jobs axed worldwide.
They also announced around 100 jobs would be created when the company's bright bar division was transferred from Wednesbury in the West Midlands to Rotherham.
But now the company says the plans have been ditched due to deteriorating market conditions.
Corus spokesman Rob Simpson said: "The company has decided not to relocate its bright bar operations from Wednesbury, West Midlands, to Rotherham.
"The decision means the Wednesbury site will remain open, although the workforce will be reduced from 108 to 49 in order to align the operation to the anticipated future demand.
"This means Corus will not now be creating almost 100 new jobs in Rotherham as a result of the relocation of the bright bar operations there."
Workers in Rotherham now fear a total closure of the Aldwarke plant.
One member of staff, who did not want to be named, said: "Rumours are rife at the moment of a total Rotherham plant closure with everything being moved to Scunthorpe instead."
But the company said it would not comment on "rumour or speculation".
Mr Simpson added: "It is a fact that Corus, like all steelmakers, is facing an unprecedented downturn in market demand. In response, the company has already announced swift and responsible measures to align production to demand in order to reduce its costs."
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