A LONG-SERVING worker at Terry's, York, has been left out of work and out in the cold by a job-share offer involving 19 employees.

Acomb resident Carol Lyons said that of 47 part-time workers soon to lose their jobs, 19 applied to take part in the job share.

But, she said, because this is an odd number someone has had to miss out - and the company has decided it is her.

The remaining employees have chosen to take redundancy straight away. Carol, who has 14 years part-time service at the Bishopthorpe Road factory, said: "I am stunned, completely flabbergasted, and while I am upset I am really angry as well.

"I have worked hard for 14 years and want to keep working. It seems I can't do that."

As recently reported in the Evening Press, the company was due to make the 47 part-time staff redundant at the end of last month.

GMB union member Carol, 52, said: "I told them I was prepared to work any hours they wanted.

"The amount of time I have been there means I have more experience than a lot of staff that are staying, but that doesn't seem to count for a lot at the moment.

"I just don't know what to do. I took a mortgage out not long ago to buy my council house. How am I going to pay for it if I haven't got a job?."

Kraft head of corporate affairs Joanna Scott confirmed there was no place in the job share scheme for Carol.

She said 19 employees from those being made redundant had put their names forward for the scheme.

"With the support of the district union official we came up with selection criteria because they would have to be paired off.

"The criteria took into account factors such as attendance, flexibility and particular skills. Unfortunately, Carol was not at the top of the list."

Ms Scott said Carol would be contacted if any of the 18 dropped out, or if any full-time Terry's employee asked to join the job-share scheme.

GMB organiser John Kirk said: "The company has sat down and tried to accommodate all those who want to remain on site. I am not aware of anyone being made redundant against their wishes.

"My advice would be that she appeals internally against this decision."

Updated: 14:54 Monday, March 04, 2002