THE jobs of 950 North-East electronics workers are still at risk, despite a company's assurances to the contrary, according to a shop steward.

LG Philips, which makes tubes for televisions and computer monitors, announced last November that it was shedding 90 jobs at its Durham plant.

It said the move was part of an overall plan to improve productivity and increase profitability, including by lowering core costs.

The company reassured staff that the restructuring would strengthen the plant for the future, making it less likely that further jobs would be lost.

It claimed it was firmly committed to the Durham factory, having invested £14m in it over recent years.

But many remained uneasy, following the leak of an internal discussion document.

It suggested that the Dutch/ Korean company wanted to shift production from its UK plants, including its site in Washington, on Wearside, to cheaper eastern European countries.

LG Philips assured staff and union officials that this should not be taken seriously, but was merely one of several theoretical options being considered.

But yesterday, Bill Blakelock, Amicus shop steward at the Durham plant, said he doubted this.

"I have seen nothing that gives me any confidence that the leaked document is not a correct picture of what is happening," he said.

"Several decisions have been made since that fall exactly into line with the leaked document.

"Facilities around Europe have closed, or they have tried to divest them to another company, or there has been a transfer of production from individual sites to European border zones or Asia Pacific."

But Mr Blakelock said all hope was not lost.

He said: "We are extremely positive about Durham as a facility. We have various projects which we hope to get into production.

"There's always hope."

* Yesterday, a new £50,000 Employees' Learning Facility was launched at the Durham plant, enabling staff to gain skills and qualifications in their free time.

It was opened by Derek Simpson, general secretary of Amicus, which has helped establish the centre in partnership with the company, the TUC, and the Learning and Skills Council.