Wrexham Residents Encouraged To March In Support Of Remploy Workers

The people of Wrexham have been encouraged to march to show solidarity for the 41 Remploy workers whose jobs are under threat in the town.

Last week it was announced that the Railway Road site was one of the 36 Remploy factories in the UK earmarked for closure after the government decided to pull funding for the company.

The news came the same week as it was revealed that the Wrexham furniture factory had secured a £2.2 million contract to supply 400 kitchen units for the refurbishment of Wrexham Council’s housing stock.

Now Remploy workers have decided to hold a march to show their anger following a meeting with trade union representatives, local politicians and councillors.

The march and rally will be held in Wrexham this Saturday at 10am and will start at the Remploy Office, Regent House, Regent Street opposite the old art college.

The decision to withdraw funding has provoked an angry response from Remploy workers as well as local residents and political figures.

Cllr David Bithell MBE who represents the Stansty ward in which the site is situated said: “When the factory was threatened with closure in 2007 I was involved with the campaign to save it during which 15,000 signatures were collected.

“The people of Wrexham supported keeping the factory open then, and I hope they will support the current campaign to save the factory, which employs a dedicated workforce who are committed to seeing that production does not cease.

“I had been working alongside Ian Lucas MP and Wrexham Council to secure a contract for the factory to produce kitchens for council housing stock, that contract was due to be announced this week.”

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has also backed the campaign to save the factory, he said: “This news has been devastating and the way the government announced it compounded the impact; workers in Wrexham were not told what was happening until ministers had slipped out a written statement.

“The same day I heard, I made arrangements to meet with union representatives and Remploy workers. At that meeting, it was clear workers wanted to march to show the strength of their feelings.

“There will be much more to do in the coming weeks to help Remploy in Wrexham, but I would all those who support the workers to attend this march.”