OUTGOING factory workers are unable to make plans while their redundancies from a Swindon plant are dragged out by bosses keen to exploit their productivity, according to a union.

More than 100 staff at Ineos Compounds in the Hawksworth Industrial Estate were told more than four months ago the factory would be shut down before the end of September 2015.

However the Unite union, which represents around 70 staff at the site, says the goalposts are being moved by Ineos, the international chemicals firm which owns the Swindon PVC compounder.

The union says a factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham – where all UK production will be consolidated for Ineos –is failing to match the productivity of its sister site in Swindon, delaying the move.

The firm says it will now happen "not earlier than October", leaving workers in limbo.

The firm says terms have been agreed with workers with regular updates given to staff.

“They are due to commence the winding-down process towards a September closure but the latest is it’s probably going to take longer,” said John McGookin, Unite’s regional officer in Swindon.

“The site up in Newton Aycliffe is struggling to get up to the required standard that the site in Swindon is delivering currently and as such they can’t release the work.

“You can imagine the workforce is a little bit at a loss as to how they’re playing it by ear.”

Mr McGookin, who has been involved in discussions with bosses and staff, said Ineos is not in a position to provide formal leaving dates for workers keen to rearrange their futures.

He also said the shifting finish line for Swindon workers proves the decision to consolidate production in Durham was rash.

“People are miffed because it’s almost as if it proves the point it was ill thought-out, with no planning of any substance and a commercial decision,” he said.

“Obviously the commercial realities are a great distance from what is actually going to happen.

“These people have obviously got over the initial shock of losing their jobs, but a lot of them are trying to make plans.

“To add insult to injury, they are expecting these guys to work some, if not all, of their notice period.”

The union rep said staff were churning out product at unprecedented levels in Hawksworth, but did not receive a pay rise following an annual pay review in March.

A spokesman for Ineos said: “The formal consultation process has been concluded and we have agreed severance terms including a retention bonus scheme.

“These terms have been communicated on a group and an individual basis. Regular communications are now taking place. The anticipated closure date has been confirmed as not earlier than October this year."

“Outplacement training is commencing including CV and job-finding skills, plus specific skill training to prepare and help employees identify and secure alternative roles.”