Cambuslang jobs under threat as Vion set to sell up
Nov 21 2012
by Douglas Dickie, Rutherglen Reformer
Around 350 jobs are under threat in Cambuslang after Vion announced they were selling their UK businesses.
The Dutch food group own the Grampian Foods factory in Westburn, and are now seeking a buyer to preserve the jobs.
Workers are now anxiously waiting for news on their future.
Vion announced on Monday that they would concentrate on their core markets in the Netherlands and Germany.
Peter Barr, chairman of Vion UK said the company was already in discussions with “a number of interested parties,” regarding the purchase of the businesses.
He added: “The level of interest in the businesses has been strong and we hope to be in a position in the near future to give further details about the progress which has been made.”
It is not yet clear when the company will release information about the potential buyers and the future of the Cambuslang base.
Trade Union Unite represent around 300 workers at the plant, and convenor Scot Walker told the Reformer that employees were anxious about the future, especially after Vion announced 1700 jobs were to go at the Hall’s meat processing plant in Broxburn.
He said: “We haven’t really received any information from the employer other than what is in the formal announcement, and clearly that does not engender a positive feeling.
“They are saying they are some way down the road in discussions with potential buyers.
“Clearly we would like more information as to who these potential buyers are and there are very real concerns given the closure at Halls.
“Job losses are always devastating but especially coming up for Christmas and with the current economic climate.
“I would not say morale is at rock bottom but people see what’s happening at Hall’s and that is a worry.
“Obviously it is positive that the employer is saying there are potential buyers but it remains to be seen who they are.”
Vion took over the Grampian site in 2008. In 2009 around 150 jobs were lost when Marks and Spencers halved a contract with the firm. A year later, a contract with Sainsbury’s saw an increase in jobs. It is believed the two main contract ors are currently M&S and the Co-operative.
Earlier this year, workers at the site went on strike in protest at a two per cent pay offer.
Job losses would be a huge blow to the area. Last month, 895 people in Cambuslang were claiming job seekers allowance, a rate of 5.5 per cent compared with the Scots average of 4.4 per cent.
Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP, Tom Greatrex, and Rutherglen MSP, James Kelly, are hoping to meet Vion and union leaders to discuss the future of the plant.
Greatrex said: “We need more detail about what their plans are. Vion have said there is interest and negotiations have taken place and we want to be aware of what the implications will be for Cambuslang.”
