Jeff Joyce, regional organiser for the Transport and General Workers' Union, said the firm's decision to axe another 110 jobs couldn't have come at a worse time.

"This has come as a bitter blow on top of the smaller number of redundancies announced at the end of last year," he said.

"In the present trading conditions we've found it extremely tough - this has made the situation more difficult.

"We had enough problems coping with the proposed aggregates tax without this as well."

Brunner Mond is planning 125 redundancies, including 15 announced late last year, as it bids to slash costs by over £5 million before the year 2000.

The company is blaming the decision on a world-wide slump in the chemical industry. Cuts will be made across the board, from factory floor to the laboratories to the boardroom.

"First the company is going to appoint the new managers who will then select their teams in full conjunction with the unions," added Mr Joyce.

Senior staff are expected to be named in the next 10 days - leaving other workers in a state of uncertainty until after that.

"I think the mood will vary according to the departments people are working in," added Mr Joyce. "Investment has been frozen, which must be very demoralising."

The shake up also means the firm's planned pay increase and performance related bonus scheme are being shelved.

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