BOSSES at York-based Portakabin have confirmed they are to make a second wave of redundancies this year, as the construction industry struggles in the face of the recession.

The plant’s 600-plus staff discovered this week that 75 positions are under threat and a 30-day consultation process is now under way. Workers say the news has left them “completely on edge”.

It comes after Portakabin announced 80 redundancies earlier this year.

Portakabin, owned by the York-based Shepherd Group, employs about 1,300 people across the UK and Europe, but the hub of the family-owned operation is in York.

A spokesman for the company said: “The recession has caused a significant downturn in most sectors of the UK economy and, consequently in modular building opportunities, as well as in the wider traditional construction market.

“These trading conditions are likely to continue for some time and we have had to take further steps to reduce costs which will potentially lead to a redundancy programme, with up to 75 positions affected.