In July the Leader reported that about 50 jobs would be axed at JCB Transmissions' two sites on the Wrexham Industrial Estate but now we can reveal that a new figure of 61 has been announced by the company.

The redundancies are part of JCB Transmissions' national programme which will see 500 jobs lost around the UK. The company reported a sharp decline in orders – a 20 per cent reduction in its forecast production schedule for the remainder of this year. The global credit crisis is being blamed for the downturn and JCB executives do not expect a recovery for at least a year.

The jobs losses are the third blow for workers at the Wrexham plants this year after 56 jobs were axed in two rounds of redundancies previously.

Employees will find out who is affected in September, but in the meantime employees are still unhappy about the way candidates for redundancy are being selected.

One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Leader: "The way they're selecting lads is unbelievable. There are lads who've never had a day of sickness getting letters saying they are in the redundancy pool and others who have been off a lot who are not. Temps who haven't served 12 months are getting trained by lads who are getting letters, while the temps are not.

"A lot of lads haven't had a day off in two years. I'm one of them and I've had a letter – it's absolutely disgraceful.

"The points system they are using to choose who will go is a farce – how can someone who's been here less than 12 months have more points than the lad who's training him – how can they justify it?

"If I was a temp I would expect to go but I've been here three to four years and I feel my job should be safe but I've had a letter again. I've served my time, never been disciplined, had a good appraisal and am on A grade – which is the best rate here – but someone on B grade who's still being trained is being kept on and lads on A grade are being slung down the road.

"They're refusing people that want to leave – one person has put in three times – and lads that want to work are getting laid off."

In June talks between JCB Transmissions workers' union GMB and the company took place after workers voted to take industrial action.

Workers were unhappy the firm at first refused to accept voluntary redundancies but the company then did a u-turn and agreed to look at them.

Workers also claimed that more permanent staff had been made redundant than temporary but the company maintained it must treat both groups the same, according to law.

A JCB spokesman said: "Consultations over job losses at JCB Transmissions are continuing.

"We are also currently assessing voluntary redundancy applications in an effort to minimise compulsory redundancies. A total of 61 jobs are at risk, including 53 shop floor and eight staff positions."