Forbes ‘sadly’ admits defeat in the fight to save McVitie’s factory

The bid to prevent nearly 500 workers losing their jobs has not been successful.

Forbes ‘sadly’ admits defeat in the fight to save McVitie’s factory STV News

Finance secretary Kate Forbes has admitted defeat in the fight to save the McVitie’s factory in Glasgow.

The MSP said that she “sadly accepts” a bid to prevent the closure and nearly 500 workers losing their jobs had not been successful.

Confectionary company Pladis, which owns the factory in Tollcross, told an action group that there was no viable alternative to closure.

The Pladis Action Group includes representatives from the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Clyde Gateway, Unite the Union and GMB with advice from industry experts.

Speaking following their ninth meeting on Thursday, Forbes, who has co-chaired the meetings alongside city council leader Susan Aitken, said her thoughts were with the workforce as she accepted the closure was inevitable.

She said: “The Pladis Action Group has worked tirelessly to develop and table credible, sensible counter proposals for consideration by Pladis to retain its presence in Scotland and retain the jobs of the skilled workforce.

“I very sadly accept that our attempts to persuade Pladis that there was a viable alternative to closure have not been successful.

“My thoughts are with the workforce and their families who are now facing a redundancy situation, and we will continue to support them throughout this next period.

“Pladis has always indicated a responsibility and willingness to discuss the potential legacy options for the site and we look forward to engaging constructively with them on what we can achieve to fulfil this ambition.”

Trade union GMB Scotland said it was “disappointed” at the outcome.

Organiser Robert Deavy said: “Whilst GMB are satisfied that the redundancy process was finalised in an amicable manner which proved agreeable to our union members, it is still a disappointment that no serious consideration was truly given to the counter proposal set out by the action group to keep these vital manufacturing jobs in Scotland.

“What we are requesting now is that Pladis cooperate with the government and trade unions to ensure that a proper legacy is left at this historic site should the company finalise the decision to vacate.

“It remains the fact that this is the end of an era and an institution in Glasgow’s east end and we feel that the area should be respected as such.”

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