Sunderland mining plant cuts more than 50 jobs

It has been confirmed that a Sunderland mining plant has cut more than 50 jobs in less than two months.

Komatsu Mining, which is on the Quay West Industrial Estate, cut approximately 40 jobs in December, according to a former member of staff.

Unite union has confirmed that 55 people have been affected in the latest round of cuts.

The plant has been operating in the North East for more than a hundred years, based in Gateshead before its relocation to Sunderland in 2008.

Regional officer for Unite, Tom Usher, told Sunderland Echo: “Unite has been assisting and will continue to assist our members to ensure they are treated fairly during this difficult process.”

A former member of staff told the newspaper that: “It came completely out of the blue,” and that the company said it needed to cut costs.

150 people were previously employed at the plant.

Komatsu has not yet issued a comment about the situation.

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