ALAN Milburn will meet union leaders today to discuss Cleveland Bridge's plans to axe 240 jobs.
The Darlington MP said the firm's proposals to lose a quarter of its workforce in the town was not a 'death knell but a blip.'
He said: "Hopefully in six or 12 months time they will be winning back the contracts they need."
Talks between the GMB and Cleveland Bridge management are not expected to start until next week.
Jimmy Skivington, of the GMB, met shop stewards last Friday. He said: "Having spoken to people it is apparently not the huge shock everybody thought it was.
"I think the shock part came with regards the numbers. Workers knew there was going to be a run-down in work."
The North-East Chamber of Commerce said the job losses would be a blow to economic prospects in the Tees Valley.
The chamber's Tees Valley area manager Rob McMullen said: "The company said it plans to cut the jobs between June and October."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article