DISABLED Southampton workers have threatened to go on strike over plans to merge their Remploy factory and close 43 others across the UK.

Remploy stunned union officials when it announced that almost half its 83 sites are to close or be merged under moves to transfer resources from loss-making factories into placing disabled people into mainstream jobs.

The company pledged that no disabled person would be made compulsorily redundant and said anyone wishing to continue working would be able to do so.

Shock and anger The Remploy factory in West Quay Road employs more than 40 staff making cables and harnesses for blue-chip companies which produce TVs, radios, computers and other electronic goods.

Chief executive Bob Warner said: "We have a great opportunity to help more disabled people find jobs.'' Union officials and workers reacted with shock and anger to the announcement, which is expected to lead to a ballot for industrial action.

Phil Davies, national officer of the GMB said: "This is an act of industrial sabotage which the Government and the Remploy board of directors are trying to impose on disabled people and their families.'' Jennie Formby, national officer of Unite, said: "The sheer scale of the closures and its impact on disabled workers is both shocking and unprecedented."

Mr Warner said every job in a Remploy factory costs more than £20,000 to support and for the same money the company can place four people in jobs with mainstream employers.

Remploy said it had an "ambitious'' programme to transfer resources from loss-making factories to support more than 20,000 disabled people into jobs in mainstream employment every year.

As well as the factory closures and mergers, there will also be reductions in management and central overheads. Remploy said it will work with other local employers to find jobs in mainstream employment for people affected by yesterday's announcement.