GMB Scotland demands reassurance over job losses as glass factory sold
Union fears another hammering for Scottish manufacturing.
GMB, the union for glass workers, has demanded reassurances for workers after a Cumbernauld glass factory was sold.
Staff at Pilkington Glass were not even officially briefed on the company’s plan to sell off the North Lanarkshire plant to rival Glass Systems.
Glass Systems has also bought a site in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and fears are growing some roles could be moved down to England.
GMB has written to the Scottish Government demanding reassurance for the 92 members of staff at Cumbernauld.
Benny Rankin, GMB Scotland Organiser, said:
“We have now found out that Pilkington are planning to sell the Cumbernauld site.
“Unfortunately we, along with the workforce, were forced to find out through a process of elimination rather than through the proper briefing that we would have expected.
“We obviously have real concerns about the intentions of Glass Systems.
“Scottish manufacturing jobs have taken a hammering over many decades now and we fear this sale makes another plant vulnerable.
“We are demanding urgent talks with Glass Systems and we will be making sure our members’ rights are fully respected by the incoming company.
“GMB Scotland has also written to the Scottish Government alerting them to the sale and asking them to seek assurances from Glass Systems over the future of the Cumbernauld plant."
