Dozens of jobs set to be axed at Angus factory

Dozens of jobs are set to go at a Tayside factory that has been deemed “no longer viable” by Morrisons.

A consultation process has started with employees at a potato packing operation at Clayholes Farm, Carnoustie, less than three years since the facility was bought by the supermarket giant.

Morrisons has confirmed its intention to reduce its workforce from 47 to just 10 staff as it moves the packing operation to England.

An employee said the workforce had been left stunned after the bleak news was revealed by a Morrisons manager who announced the plan for mass redundancies by “reading from an ipad”.

Morrisons said it would consider “all alternatives” to prevent compulsory redundancies and intended to keep the Carnoustie site as a potato grading and storage facility.

In a letter to staff, the supermarket said: “Over the last three years, the business has made a significant investment in manufacturing capabilities, technology and facilities, which has enabled a significant increase in our packing capacity.

“As part of our regular review process our Carnoustie packing operation is no longer viable.

“This takes into account the investment required in machinery and options for carrying out the activity in other sites.”

Independent Carnoustie councillor Brian Boyd described the announcement as a “massive blow” for the Angus town.

He added: “It’s devastating news and the last thing the workers need in the run up to Christmas.”

It is the second time in the last three years the Angus workforce has been threatened with redundancies.

Previous owner Farmcare embarked on a period of consultation in July 2016, when staffing numbers were at 90, following the loss of a significant packing contract.

The acquisition by Morrisons six months later was hailed as one that safeguarded the workforce.

However, an employee at the site said it was now clear to him the Carnoustie acquisition was merely a stop-gap for the supermarket as it began an investment programme in its English sites.

“Investment has been going into Garbrook despite the fact that our operation runs at a profit. We can see now that Morrisons only bought Carnoustie as cover,” he said.

“As time went on we wondered why they weren’t investing in us like the other sites. It means they are going to be running potatoes from Carnoustie past Glasgow, down to Manchester, packing them, then running them back up to Glasgow.”

He said the workforce had been stunned by managers at Morrisons who announced the consultation period by “reading from an ipad”.

“The morale is terrible – six people have already left this week,” he added.

At the time Morrisons acquired the Carnoustie facility from Farmcare, Andrew Thornber, managing director of Morrisons Manufacturing, said: “Our acquisition of the Carnoustie site, and our relationship with Farmcare, shows Morrisons’ commitment to working directly with growers in Scotland and offering our customers the very best quality fresh produce.”