LUCAS workers in East Lancs were today seeking job assurances as the newly-merged company announced a massive restructuring programme.

The firm, which linked with US engineer Varity to become one of the world's top 10 car parts suppliers, says it will slash 3,000 jobs worldwide over the next two years.

The move would cost £20 million and increase productivity, eliminate duplication and reduce overhead costs, says the company.

But LucasVarity would not specify where the redundancies would take place, leaving electrical and engineering employees in East Lancs pondering their future.

A union spokesman at the 1,500-worker automotive parts plants in Burnley and Rists in Accrington said it was understood they were not among the 13 businesses, employing 5,000 people, which the enlarged company was listing for sale. "It is re-assuring and positive that we are considered part of the core structure.

"But the restructuring announcement is a double-edged sword because there will be redundancies and we are not being told where they will fall.

"That has obviously led to concern among the workforce.

"We have been trying for months to get assurances from management," the spokesman added.

Lucas chairman Sir Brian Parse warned of job losses in corporation headquarters and some administrative activities, but said overall the British and American businesses were "extremely complementary."

Lucas employed 46,000 worldwide prior to the merger, with factories in the Midlands, Lancashire, Wales and the West Country, while Varity employed 11,000, mainly in the United States.

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