ANGRY workers at doomed York rail manufacturer Thrall Europa have slammed the company's redundancy package as an "insult".

Employees at the wagonworks in Holgate Road were told they would receive four week's pay and roughly another week's wage for every year they had worked there.

The plant is set to close in December on completion of its current wagon order with EWS.

A Thrall worker, who would not be named, said they had been expecting a "good payout" as an incentive for finishing the order on time. But staff were left reeling following the announcement and many did not turn up for work in protest, he claimed.

"Everyone is sick to death," the source said. "They're like rats on a sinking ship.

"Four weeks pay is not going to buy much time when looking for another job."

Another worker raged: "It's an absolute joke.

"A lot of people are just walking out."

Brian Anderson, of the York branch of the Transport and General Workers' Union, said the payout was "very poor".

"It serves Thrall right if the workforce don't go in - you reap what you sow."

But Chris Schmalbruch, president of Thrall owners, Trinity Rail GmbH, told the Evening Press from its headquarters in Switzerland, that the company had been "very fair".

He said: "In terms of our employees being disgruntled, I respect that because I would be too if I was losing my job," he said.

"Unfortunately the business is simply not there.

"We have a commitment to complete the EWS contract and we intend to fulfil that. How efficiently we do that is dependant on the willingness of the employees.

"Last week we proposed an enhanced redundancy programme. There is no bonus or incentive package in place.

"The programme applies to everyone, including those who haven't worked there for two years and don't qualify for redundancy under labour laws. They're getting something they would otherwise not be entitled to.

"I think we're treating our employees very well."

Mr Schmalbruch acknowledged that the redundancy announcement had some affect on recent absenteeism but said it was always high during the summer holidays.

He added: "We're looking at other avenues that the plant could be used for. The closure proposal for December still stands."

Updated: 11:36 Friday, August 02, 2002