EMPLOYEES at E.ON were given a glimmer of hope today after the firm announced it will have further talks with the union over the redundancy package.The union Prospect vowed to save more than 330 jobs at Wherstead Park, Ipswich, after the German-owned power giant confirmed it was closing.

EMPLOYEES at E.ON were given a glimmer of hope today after the firm announced it will have further talks with the union over the redundancy package.

The union Prospect vowed to save more than 330 jobs at Wherstead Park, Ipswich, after the German-owned power giant confirmed it was closing. It also pledged to improve redundancy packages after it was revealed the pay-offs were reduced just one week before news of the closure was announced.

Today, E.ON said that following talks with the trade unions at national level, it has agreed to enter into further discussions regarding the implementation of changes to redundancy terms across E.ON UK.

The company said employees affected by the closure will receive a financial package, which means they will not be disadvantaged by the proposed changes.

Peter Haigh, director of E.ON's B2B division, said: “Today's announcement does not affect the proposal to close Wherstead Park next year, and I know this continues to be a difficult time for affected employees in these early stages of consultation.

“Since this consultation began, we have recognised the impact of the changes to redundancy terms so close to the Wherstead Park announcement last week.

“We also recognise the uncertainty that this has caused. Our priority now is to continue the counselling process, identify the opportunities for redeployment and explaining the package of support available to affected colleagues.''