Steelworks jobs axed in new blow

Nineteen jobs have been axed and 50 shopfloor workers have been put on a four-day week at a Black Country steelworks.

Bosses at C Brown and Sons in Pedmore Road, Brierley Hill, say they cannot rule out further redundancies next month.

Discussions are also taking place about extending the shorter working hours for office staff. The move could affect up to another 80 workers.

Director Sue Cheeseman said the firm had been forced to make the cutbacks because of a downturn in trade.

She added: "Like everybody else we are going through a downturn in business. The only way to get through it is a four-day week."

The firm will be reviewing the situation next month and Mrs Cheeseman said it could be forced to make further redundancies.

The four-day week has also been introduced at firm's factory in Bury, Lancashire, but its Jubilee Works site in King William Street, Amblecote, Stourbridge, has not been affected. The family-run company was founded by Cecil Brown in 1946.

The news follows the announcement that Servosteel, which employs 97 people at a plant near Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, had also introduced a four day week. A three-day week was also introduced recently for more than 150 workers at Brockmoor Foundry, in The Leys, Brierley Hill.