Forty jobs are to go in Co Armagh as a manufacturing company cuts over 10 per cent of its workforce, it was announced today.
Seagoe Technologies - a Portadown-based firm that makes storage heaters - has asked for voluntary redundancies, but unions have expressed the fear there could be compulsory pay-offs.
The company is part of the Glen Dimplex Group, which has been rationalising its workforce in other pats of the United Kingdom.
Unite regional organiser Sean McKeever said: "People are worried that this may affect them as individuals. The company has said it is looking for voluntary redundancies, but there is concern there could be compulsory redundancies if there are not enough volunteers."
He said the union had held talks with the company and been told there would be no other lay-offs expected in 2008.
Elsewhere, the creation of 40 jobs in Lisburn, Co Antrim, was announced today by Marks and Spencer, which is opening a food-only outlet there.
