Politicians and union hit out at aviation firm’s plan to axe 160 staff
Calls for Menzies to reverse job losses at Glasgow Airport
A councillor is calling on an airport service company to rethink shock plans to make 160 staff redundant.
Menzies Aviation is consulting employees at Glasgow Airport on the move.
However, Tory politician John McIntyre, who represents Glasgow Airport as part of his Paisley Northwest ward, says the decision has been taken in haste and is another major jobs blow in the area.
He has written to Menzies Aviation CEO Giles Wilson, asking the company to look again at the consultation and make full use of the UK Government’s furlough scheme.
Mr McIntyre has also asked the Scottish Government’s Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop to outline any economic support that will be given to Renfrewshire in the future.
He said: “It is hugely concerning to see that Menzies Aviation are planning to axe over 150 jobs at Glasgow Airport.
“It is the latest blow to the Renfrewshire economy, coming off the back of the horrendous job losses announced by Rolls-Royce and I would urge Menzies Aviation to look again at their plans.
“There is urgent action needed to support the Renfrewshire economy going forward, especially with the effects the Covid-19 pandemic is having on Glasgow Airport.
“I have written to Menzies Aviation urging them to rethink their decision and take full advantage of the UK Government’s furlough scheme until October, as we get our air travel industry up and running again.
“I have also asked what support the SNP Government can provide to support jobs and future economic prospects in Renfrewshire, including the investment at Glasgow Airport as party of the City Deal.
“I would hope that investment can still be confirmed despite the Covid- 19 pandemic and I am committed to working with key stakeholders to ensure employment prospects can be secured in Renfrewshire.”
West Scotland MSP Maurice Golden says he considers it worrying times for job prospects across Renfrewshire.
He added: “The aviation sector is absolutely vital for the local economy and I hope specific measures can be outlined to support the industry and safeguard it’s future prospects.
“Covid- 19 has caused an unprecedented crisis in our aviation sector, but we must look at all avenues in how to protect employment going forward at Glasgow Airport.”
Menzies Aviation’s plans follow the announcement that RollsRoyce is planning to axe 700 employees at Inchinnan.
Menzies Aviation operates at 200 airports worldwide, and offers landside and airside services such as ground handling, cargo, and fuelling.
Pat McIlvogue, Unite regional industrial officer, who represents staff at the airport, said: “We are deeply frustrated and angry that despite the company calling for the job retention scheme to be extended so that job losses could be avoided they have still forged ahead with this announcement.
“Unite fully understands the situation facing the civil aviation industry, which is why we have been calling for a coordinated national response so that we can safeguard thousands of Scottish jobs.
“However, let us be clear, these job losses do not need to happen and this is a deliberate choice by Menzies Aviation to slash its workforce.”
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said he is very saddened to hear of the job losses at Menzies.
“My thoughts are with the workers affected and their families,” he added.
“This is a hugely challenging time for the whole economy – and the aviation industry in particular.
“It will take it some time to recover from the unprecedented impact of the pandemic on route networks.
“We know that the reestablishment of previously operated routes will not be straightforward.
“We are monitoring developments at Menzies and stand ready to assist any staff affected.
“We will provide support through our initiative for responding to redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE).
“Through providing skills development and employability support, PACE aims to minimise the time individuals affected by redundancy are out of work.
“Airports, ground handling service providers, including Menzies Aviation and Loganair will receive business rate relief as part of the more than £2.3 billion support package announced to help businesses deal with the impact of Covid-19.
“Renfrewshire has also benefited directly from a £ 75 million contribution to the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, £ 39 million City Deal funding supporting the creation of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland and £ 15 million to the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Cent re, through Scottish Enterprise.”
A Me n z i e s Av i a t i o n spokesperson said the company has been in touch with Mr McIntyre to explain that it is extremely grateful for the support it has received from the government for its UK operations.
“However, we simply cannot afford to wait until October to begin negotiations,” the spokesperson added.
“If we did not seek to consult at this time then we may be faced with a much worse scenario and a greater number of job losses.
“It also allows us time to examine all alternatives with our employees and their representatives.
“We do very much hope we can keep redundancies to the minimum level.”
It is the latest blow to the Renfrewshire economy, coming of the back of job losses at Rolls-Royce