McVitie's factory closure 'a slap in the face' to 500 Glasgow workers

Union leaders have described news that nearly 500 workers at the McVitie's biscuit factory in Glasgow are to lose their jobs as a "slap in the face".

McVitie's owner Pladis has issued formal redundancy notices to all 472 staff at the Tollcross plant.

Scottish Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said she was "extremely disappointed".

A spokesperson for Pladis said it was committed to "meaningful consultation" with employees and their representatives.

The company had previously said that, pending consultation, the factory would close in late 2022 with production moved to other factories in the UK.

It has blamed "excess capacity" at its plants for the move.

There have been concerns raised about the future of the plant, which produces Hobnobs and Rich Tea biscuits among other products, for a number of years.

An action group set up to try and save jobs presented a series of proposals as an alternative to site closure last week, according to Ms Forbes.

"We are therefore extremely disappointed Pladis has decided to notify staff they are at risk of redundancy," she added.

She said the group would meet next week to consider how they can support staff affected by the closure and secure the jobs.

"I would once again ask Pladis to engage directly with the action group to explore opportunities to secure a future for the site," she said.

A joint statement by the Unite Scotland and GMB Scotland unions said the closure of the factory, which has been operating in the city for nearly 100 years, was "a disgrace".

Pat McIlvogue, of Unite, said the company had refused to engage with the action group which includes representatives from the government, the unions, and Glasgow City Council, among others.

Pladis said it had been consulting with trade union representatives on a weekly basis and was in regular contact with Ms Forbes and Councillor Susan Aitken.

Mr McIlvogue said: "Everyone except the company is working together in order to bring forward options which could save hundreds of jobs in the local area.

"Pladis has a duty of care to hundreds of workers to jointly discuss with us what could be done to save jobs instead of this belligerent and arrogant approach which they have adopted."

The GMB's David Hume accused Pladis managing director David Murray of "an act of extreme bad faith".

He added: "This is a profitable business with an innovative workforce that can and should have a future in the east end of Glasgow."

In a statement, Pladis confirmed it had issued the HR1 notice - part of the formal consultation process on its proposal to close the Tollcross plant.

A spokesperson added: "In recent weeks we have been frequently engaging with our trade union representatives and the action group co-chaired by Cabinet Secretary Kate Forbes and Councillor Susan Aitken.

"We remain committed to meaningful consultation with our employees and their representatives."