An ill wind blows as 28 workers lose their jobs
Machrihanish-based CS Wind has axed 28 jobs this week despite last-gasp attempts by councillors and industry union Unite to reverse the decision to cut the workforce.
More redundancies are expected as the only wind turbine manufacturer in the UK, and one of the largest employers in the area, looks to compensate for gaps in its order book.
Last month the Korean-run company announced that it would be making 80 per cent of its workforce redundant by December this year. A 30-day consultation period is now over and another 40 or so job losses are expected to come over the next month.
Officials from Unite, along with local councillors, have been calling on the Scottish Government to commit to renewable energy following last month’s announcement.
Charlie McDonald, Unite regional industrial officer, told the Courier: ‘According to CS Wind, they are fighting to secure various different contracts but right now there is a gap in the order book, which is very disappointing for the workforce.
‘CS Wind is unique in that it is the only place in Britain able to build and store these towers. If the factory is allowed to wither on the vine, it will be a disgrace if we lost this renewables manufacturing facility – not only for Campbeltown but for the country.
‘We are very soon approaching a situation where we’ll have wind towers sitting off the coast and in the glens of Scotland that are built thousands of miles away.
‘Where is the commitment from the Scottish Government to the whole green economy and the renewables sector throughout Scotland?’
Employees at the plant were told at the end of last week that a meeting would be held on Monday. Those who had volunteered for redundancy had expected to go on December 2 but others who had not volunteered were left stunned.
Argyll First councillor Donald Kelly said: ‘It is extremely disappointing that people are now being made redundant.
‘It’s mind-boggling that this has been allowed to happen – we are losing a highly skilled, experienced workforce who have played a major part in the renewables industry for the past 18 or so years.
‘I just cannot understand why more is not being done given that this industry appears to be at the top of the political agenda.
‘I have suggested that if the Scottish Government were serious about saving the plant that they should cover
‘It’s mind-boggling that this has been allowed to happen’
the cost of wages until such times as the new orders are in place.’
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government insisted this week that renewables were a crucial part of the Scottish Government’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
‘Earlier this year we convened an offshore wind summit with unions, companies and other interested parties who agreed to take urgent action to ensure more companies benefit from the awarding of contracts for offshore projects,’ he said.
‘This has been a very difficult time for workers at the CS Wind tower facility and our priority has been to support the company in its attempts to secure future work for the site to plug the gap in its order book. We have explored all areas where we can assist the company to retain its workforce for the longer term, such as funding infrastructure and improvements to lower transport costs, but the Scottish Government does not have a legal route to gap-fund manufacturing itself as this would constitute a breach of state aid regulations.’