Lanarkshire workers have told how they feel they have been “stabbed in the back” over the proposed closure of the McVities biscuit factory in Glasgow.
Snack firm Pladis announced earlier this month that it intended to close the historic Tolcross site, with 472 jobs set to go as a result.
A petition in support of the workers has seen more than 76,000 people offer their support to the at risk employees.
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The Victoria Biscuit Works has been in operation for almost a century and is best known for producing McVities favourites such as Digestives, Hobnobs and Rich Tea.
Unions have been stunned by the announcement and the proposed job losses – which will include a number of Lanarkshire workers – with plans being to close the operation by next year.
David Laing, from Cambuslang, has worked at the factory for six years and has been devastated by the news.
He told Lanarkshire Live: “We have worked through the pandemic, where we were being told we were key workers and that we were ‘feeding the nation’.
“Then, as soon as we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel with lockdown and the pandemic, we are told we are shutting down. It came completely out of the blue and did feel that we have been stabbed in the back.”
Both of David’s parents had worked at the factory before him, and he is hoping that public and political pressure can help make a difference.
He added: “We have cross party support with local MPs and our petition sits over the 76,000 mark. We are asking for people to sign the petition to help keep this in the public eye and hopefully save our jobs.”
Days after announcing the proposed closure, Pladis revealed plans to expand its factory in Carlisle.
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey said: “The situation is devastating for the staff – particularly given they have been keyworkers working throughout the pandemic, helping Pladis achieve record-breaking sales figures.
“The Scottish Government’s finance secretary and the leader of Glasgow City Council have been co-chairing an action group to save the factory, site and 500 jobs affected – and they have been leaving no stone unturned to do just that.
“The Scottish Government will continue do everything that they credibly can for the workers, but they are unable to force any company to accept offers of help.
“The ball is in Pladis’ court – they must now step up and work with the action group to save the factory from closure.”
When announcing news of the closure, Pladis UK & Ireland managing director, David Murray, said: “We know this news will be difficult for our colleagues at Tollcross. Our priority now is to provide them with the support they need during the consultation process.
“Pladis is home to some of Britain’s best loved brands which have been part of the fabric of our society for nearly two hundred years. In order to protect them for generations to come, we must take steps to address excess capacity in the UK.
“This overcapacity limits our ability to make the right investments in future capabilities to meet the very big changes in our industry.”
More details of the petition supporting workers can be found here.
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