MANUFACTURING in Torfaen is being dealt another blow next week as around 90 workers at TRW's Pontypool factory face losing their jobs. Just last week Pontypool factory Trico announced 250 job losses as production is due to cease.

Now a document leaked to the Free Press states that, as of next Monday, workers from the manufacturing sector at TRW face compulsory redundancy.

Company bosses received 62 voluntary redundancies by November 11, leaving a total of 94 workers awaiting news of their future.

The plant makes brake and steering components for the motor industry. The company is among the world's top ten automotive suppliers, with sales amounting to £12 billion last year.

Bosses are blaming a drop in business in part on the closure of Rover, and increased competition from overseas.

One option presented to employees was to up their working hours from 34 to 39 for the same money.

Last Friday workers voted three to one against it, leaving one week for workers to take voluntary redundancy.

TRW's management criteria for compulsory redundancy is based on "skills, quality, continuous improvement, discipline, absence, lateness and service," according to the leaked document.

It also stated rejecting the ballot would demonstrate to TRW "the workforce at Pontypool is not prepared to support the improvements required in the manufacturing performance."

One employee, who doesn't want to be named, said: "People are just waiting for a tap on the shoulder telling them they have to go.

"It's terrible, morale is low because of the uncertainty. We haven't had enough guidance since they announced redundancies in August. "There is no investment coming into the Pontypool site and the redundancies have led to speculation that they are running down operations at the factory, as a downturn in business stems from competition from cheap labour elsewhere," he added.

Plant Manager at TRW, Steve Stott said the reductions were to "ensure appropriate cost base in the face of fierce competition."

He said: "We do not take these redundancies lightly and seek to work with employees and their representatives to support the workforce at a difficult time.

"It is our hope that we have enough suitable volunteers to make a compulsory redundancy programme unnecessary, but until the voluntary programme closes it is not appropriate to comment further."

Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle said: "I am staying in close contact with the unions at the plant and will get an update on the Assembly Government position when I meet Andrew Davies next week."