Dozens of jobs at risk at Fife factory as union leaders to enter talks

Dozens of jobs are said to be at risk at a factory in Fife, with union leaders to enter talks on redundancies.

GMM Pfaudler, which specialises in corrosion-resistant technologies, systems, and services for the chemical, pharmaceutical, food and energy industries, has a factory in Leven.

The firm employs 57 staff members, but the number will be reduced to 19 under the redundancy proposals.

GMB Scotland said it will meet management on January 27 to begin talks on the terms of the threatened redundancies and the role of the remaining workers.

The union warned of threatened closure eight years ago but said the firm dismissed the concerns as “ill-informed.”

Organiser Dom Prichard said: “The plans for the effective closure of this plant are, sadly, no surprise but that should not make it any more acceptable.

“We have endured the gradual decline of a workplace that was for generations a centre of high quality, highly skilled work and part of the history of industrial Scotland.

“It is not only a blow for the remaining workers, who are only a fraction of the numbers once employed there, but yet another blow to Scotland’s manufacturing and engineering sector.

“How many skills does our country need to lose before we begin to value our workers and support their industries?

“How much of our experience and manufacturing capacity has to go abroad before we say enough?

“We will meet with management urgently to ensure all possible measures are in place to ensure our members’ work and experience is properly recognised.”

Wendy Chamberlain, Lib Dem MP for North East Fife said: “I’m really concerned to hear the reports that there will be reductions in the workforce at the GMM Pfaudler Factory in Leven.

“I’m seeking an urgent meeting with management to see if anything can be done to ameliorate the decision.

“I urge any constituents affected to please get in touch with me.”

GMM Pfaudler has been contacted for comment.