Staff devastated as LG plant shuts

The final shifts of workers clocked off for the last time yesterday, ahead of the plant's official closure today.

Production of TV tubes there ceased over the weekend, although a decommissioning team of about 70 will stay on at the site until March.

In late May the firm confirmed rumours that it would close with the loss of 870 jobs at its Imperial Park site - dealing a devastating blow to the Gwent economy.

The news was a bitter contrast to the celebrations in 1996 when it seemed South Korean firm LG would create 6,000 jobs in Gwent. David Elsen, 32, of Bassaleg, has worked at the site for five years and supports a wife and young daughter.

"I left a profitable company thinking I was coming to a profitable company for a job for life," he said.

"But we haven't moved with the times. It has been disappointing that we have stuck with one product - an old product that's been round for years." He is now thinking of retraining to become a teacher, but may have to find work first.

A group of 12 South Korean expat workers are also preparing to return home.

Phil Styles, general manager of manufacturing, said: "If there's a positive it's that the workforce have been well trained and can drop into many types of work.

"It's a sad occasion. Unfortunately new technology has caught up with the plant. Six years ago we couldn't foresee market prices would drop so dramatically."

LG started building cathode ray tubes for computers and TVs at Newport six years ago. In June 2001 they teamed up with Phillips, but demand for the tubes has fallen sharply because customers now want flat screen technology.

A company spokesman said at one stage the Newport site was losing £3m a month.

Amicus union convener Peter Radmilovic said: "People here feel let down. They gave 100 per cent and feel the company haven't reciprocated. "A lot are very worried. Half haven't got jobs now and many of those that have are on lower wages outside the manufacturing sector."