McVities linked to Covid cluster in North East
STAFF at a Glasgow biscuit factory have claimed a cluster of Covid cases are linked to an outbreak that has affected pupils at Bannerman High School.
A source accused McVities bosses of failing to be transparent with workers, claiming four employees in senior management roles were sent home from the Tollcross factory.
A worker claimed the cases are linked to the outbreak that has affected 11 people in the North East of the city.
The GMB union said it is seeking “urgent clarification” from site managers about a possible cluster of cases at the site.
The source said: “The management that have been sent home have been in direct contact with employees who have not been allowed to go home.
“There has been a blatant disregard for shop floor health and safety many of whom have been shielding for a period of time.”
A spokeswoman for pladis, which owns the factory said “nothing is more important than the safety of colleagues” but did not comment on any possible Covid infections at the site.
A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said there is an “ongoing investigation” and said it would be inappropriate to comment while contact tracing work is being carried out.
The factory produces around 50,000 tonnes of biscuits each year and employs around 600 staff.
A spokesman for the GMB union said: “We have contacted the site manager seeking urgent clarification on the growing speculation concerns possible Covid infection at Tollcross.
“Obviously there would be sensitivities to any individuals affected but if this is confirmed, then management have to be open and transparent with the workforce.”
The GMB has previously criticised factory owners, pladis, for continuing export production during the Covid crisis.
A survey by the union also found that 90 per cent of staff who responded said they were worried about catching the virus at work.
Union representatives said social distancing had been proving difficult due to “workers operating in close proximity on production lines”.
Doubts over the safety of workers were raised again in April following reports of a confirmed case of coronavirus in the factory.
A spokeswoman for pladis said: “Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our colleagues, and since the start of the pandemic we’ve followed all the official advice to re-design our site to be compliant to the official guidelines including massively stepping up our cleaning regime throughout of our site, and put in place comprehensive social distancing measures.
“We take any concerns seriously, so we’re continuing to talk to colleagues to get their feedback.
“If anyone has symptoms, we have encouraged them to stay at home and self-isolate with full pay.
“We also have a 24/7 confidential helpline available to provide support or guidance.”
A spokeswoman for NHSGGC said: “There is an ongoing investigation into a cluster of COVID-19 cases linked to North east Glasgow and it would be wrong for us to pre-empt this work.
“We are contact tracing close contacts of any identified cases and we will provide up to date information when this is available.”
Nearly 300 people have tested positive for Covid-19 after an outbreak at a sandwich factory in Northampton.
Greencore, which supplies prepackaged sandwiches to Marks & Spencer, said some of its staff are self-isolating after a significant number tested positive for coronavirus.
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