Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Freightliner closure risk sparks job fears
This is a vital employer in the Coat bridge area and has been a part of the community for many years Fulton MacGregor MSP
A Coatbridge rail freight and services terminal is facing an uncertain future – with up to 100 jobs potentially at risk.
Freightliner has been operating at the Gartsherrie site for more than 40 years but the RMT Union has revealed the facility is under threat of closure.
Coatbridge MSP Fulton MacGregor, his Airdrie counterpart Alex Neil and Airdrie MP Neil Gray MP have vowed to do “all they can to try and save the facility and its jobs.”
Senior union representatives have been in talks with Freightliner management to clarify the situation with the company, revealing it has discussed “the challenges facing us at the Coatbridge site” with employees.
The Advertiser understands the RMT Union has been informed Freightliner will be holding an investors meeting on Monday to discuss the Gartsherrie Road terminal’s future.
Responding to the news of the potential threat to the site, Coatbridge MSP Fulton MacGregor told the Advertiser: “I am aware of the potential difficulties that Freightliner could experience.
“This is a vital employer in the Coatbridge area and has been a part of the community for many years.
“I am fully supportive of all steps being taken to retain the future of the site and will work with all stakeholders going forward including the Scottish Government.
“The transport secretary recently visited the site and, I know, was impressed with the quality of work at the company.
“I am also fully behind the workers and the unions in trying to find a way forward for all employees that could be affected.”
Airdrie MSP Alex Neil added: “Along with Fulton MacGregor MSP and Neil Gray MP, we are doing all we can to try to save the jobs and facility at the Coatbridge terminal.
“There are about 100 jobs at stake and we can’t afford to lose them from the Monklands area.
“We are in touch with the company to try to explore all options for keeping the terminal open and we will engage the Scottish Government in this exercise.
“If they can provide any help we will pursue them vigorously.”
Labour Central Scotland MSP Elaine Smith, a former Coatbridge representative, who has raised the matter in the Scottish Parliament, said: “I am very concerned about the rumours of the potential closure of this well-established site which employs around 100 people.
“I took the opportunity to ask the First Minster at question time whether the Rail Freight Fund, which was announced last year by the government at the Coatbridge terminal, can be used to safeguard its future.
“I join the RMT Union in calling for Freightliner and the Scottish Government to work together with the union to urgently to find a way forward to safeguard the future of the Coatbridge Freight terminal and the jobs of those who work there.
“It is vital for the local area that a positive solution, allowing the facility to stay open and the jobs to be secured, is found quickly.”
Freightliner is a leading rail freight provider who invest in “locomotive technology, wagons and terminal infrastructure.”
A spokesperson for the company said: “Following changes in the market and competitive backdrop, Freightliner management has been in discussion with the employees at our Coatbridge terminal and the RMT Union to explain the challenges facing us at the Coatbridge site.
“We are making every effort to enhance the current service offerings to our customers and are examining all avenues to make Coatbridge a viable terminal into the future.”