Union officials warned of industrial action, saying a meeting had been called for Monday to urge a strike ballot. The men are very agitated. They feel let down. Others were not so fortunate. We are expected to be more efficient and we are cheaper to employ than the German worker.
Some people are jubilant and only want to go.
Others in my situation feel sickened. There are no jobs around here. If Mr Johnston were to have been 45 in 2002, when the plant will finally close, he would be eligible for a package in which the pension is deferred until 50, on top of a lump sum payout. As it is, he will take away little more than a year's wages. In 2002 I will 44 years and one month.