Sturgeon’s hopes for future of The Caley
NICOLA Sturgeon said there is still time to find a solution to save the St Rollox Caley works for the rail industry.
However, her statement suggested that while the site could be saved, the 200 jobs will be lost, as Gemini Rail are closing down and making the workers redundant between now and when work runs out in July.
The First Minister spoke about “repurposing” the depot for “future use”.
She was asked by Bob Doris, Maryhill and Springburn SNP MSP if the government would “explore all options to retain jobs and operations at the site”.
Mr Doris said the news, reported in the Evening Times, that Gemini were moving to closure was a “devastating blow for a skilled and dedicated workforce.”
He added: “Gemini Rail has been inflexible, unimaginative and slow to engage meaningfully in our efforts to retain jobs and operations.”
Mr Sturgeon said she was “extremely disappointed” to receive a letter from the company informing her of the closure decision.
She said: “I stress that consideration needs to be given to potential options for keeping the site open.
“There will be a further meeting of stakeholders at the end of this month to discuss the way forward.
“The workshops have work to complete on vehicles that are leased to ScotRail until July this year and Gemini Rail has retained the lease until March next year.
“That means that there is time to work with industry with a view to repurposing the site for future rail use.”
Paul Sweeney, Glasgow North East Labour MP, has written to Michael Matheson, the Transport Secretary, calling for the government to step in and take ownership of the site and take on the workers.
He said the Government must act now, stating Gemini say they will terminate the workforce by the end of July.
He said that acquiring the site and opening it up to ScotRail and other maintenance firms would ensure the future for a “significant number of current employees.”
Mr Sweeney said: “The site can be saved with Scottish Government intervention and I would ask that you act immediately to secure the future of the site and its workforce.”
The union Unite has also called on the Transport Secretary to intervene and take on the site and the workers.