Union confirms dozens of jobs have been axed at Komatsu Mining in Sunderland

Unions bosses have confirmed Komatsu Mining has made more than 50 people redundant at its plant on the Quay West Industrial Estate in little more than a month.

One former member of staff, who lost his job before Christmas, said it was thought that around 42 posts had been cut in December, with a further 47 jobs lost in two tranches of redundancies this month.

Staff said that the announcement had been entirely unexpected: “It came completely out of the blue,” the former employee said.

“They said they needed to cut costs.”

Employees said that around 42 jobs were lost in the first round of redundancies, and more job losses were announced when staff returned to work at the plant in the New Year.

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

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

Komatsu Mining is part of the worldwide Joy Global group, which supplies advanced equipment, systems and direct services for the global mining industry.

Komatsu opened the Sunderland site in 2008, moving from Gateshead where there had been a facility since 1911.

The company previously employed 150 people at the site and opened two new manufacturing lines in 2014.

The Echo has approached Komatsu Mining for comment.