181 Job Losses At Unity Mine ‘A Savage Blow’

Following the announcement today (31st October 2013) that 181 miners are losing their jobs at Unity Mine Neath MP Peter Hain said,

‘This is a savage blow to the miners, their families and our local community. The mineworkers union, myself and the Welsh Government have worked very hard to try and save the jobs but, depressingly, to no avail. I have asked the Administrator to keep the 25 apprentices on along with the care and maintenance staff so that these miners of the future can maintain their training course accreditations without which their prospect of becoming fully qualified will be badly damaged.

‘The Administrator has told me that there are a number of investors interested in rescuing the mine and I have asked that everything is done to secure such new investment. The mine contains the highest quality anthracite for which there is a big world demand and, with the right investors, it could still have a bright future offering vital, highly skilled, well paid jobs. We have to make this happen because otherwise it is devastating for the Neath Valley.’