Jobs under threat at Mallusk trailer firm

Workers at the McKinney Road business, which manufactures lorry trailers, have expressed fears that they could lose their jobs if the company continues to move parts of its local operation to a plant in England.

One worker contacted the Times last week claiming that the firm employs around 150 - 200 people and that 30 to 40 per cent of the workforce could be at risk of losing their jobs.

The man, who didn’t want to be identified, works as a fitter at the plant. He claimed that a number of people have already been laid off, and that more cuts are to come.

“They’re transferring work from here over to one of their other sites in England and we’ve heard talk that about 30 or 40 per cent of the workforce here could lose their jobs.

“We’ve heard nothing from management about what’s going to happen, so people are worried that they could be out of work. It’s all full-time jobs that are under threat as the casual staff have already gone,” he claimed.

The Times contacted Montracon’s parent company, Ballyvesey Holdings Ltd, on several occasions in an attempt to discuss the worker’s claims. However, despite having a ‘Press Releases’ section on their website, a company spokesperson would only say: “I’m sorry, we don’t talk to the press.”

Speaking to the Times on Tuesday, South Antrim MP William McCrea confirmed that he has held talks with management at Montracon in an effort to minimise potential job losses at the Mallusk plant.

“I have been in consultation with them (Montracon) to see how we can minimise any lay-offs. It is vital that we do everything possible to save every possible job and keep every possible job in South Antrim,” the DUP man commented.

Read the full story in this week’s Times...