400 jobs under threat at Ethicon
Council express ‘opposition’ to closure
Nearly 400 jobs are under threat at the Ethicon plant in Livingston with politicians and union officials stating that the closure would be ‘devastating’.
Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson announced plans last Thursday ( March 9) to shut its Ethicon plant, putting close to 400 livelihoods at stake.
West Lothian Council have expressed “outright opposition” to the proposed closure and have committed to saving jobs at the plant.
John McGinty, leader of West Lothian Council, said: “The decision by Johnson & Johnson to instigate a consultation over the proposed closure of the Ethicon plant in Livingston is devastating for the people employed at Johnson & Johnson and their families. The council has expressed it’s outright opposition to the proposal to close the plant and is absolutely committed to doing all it can to safeguard jobs at the Livingston site.”
Council officials met with the union Unite’s representatives on Monday and have called on
Johnson & Johnson to extend the consultation process to 90 days.
They were also expected to meet with the company’s representatives yesterday (Wednesday) to demand an explanation on the reason for the closure.
Derek Ormston, Unite regional officer, said: “This is shocking news. Many of our members at Ethicon have given long years of service to the company, and to be rewarded in this way will be heartbreaking.
“There will also be feelings of uncertainty and anger. Unite will now consult with our members and work hard to defend their jobs throughout this consultation process.”
The proposed closure was also met with shock across the political divide with politicians saying that everyone must work together for the workers whose jobs have been put under threat.
Angela Constance, SNP MSP for Almond Valley, said she had written to the Economy Secretary requesting that local and national enterprise agencies work together to identify a buyer or an alternative use for the site.
She said: “The Ethicon site is highly productive and has provided good quality employment for decades and my thoughts are with the 400 workers and their families who are now facing an uncertain future.”
Neil Findlay, Labour MSP for Lothian, called on the Scottish Government to try and save jobs at this “difficult time.”
He said: “I know Ethicon well as my wife worked there and I personally know a lot of the workforce. Many of the staff have given decades of loyal service to the company – any closure will be devastating for them and their families. At times of uncertainty like this we need all the levels of Government pulling in the same direction to help people.”
Fiona Hyslop, SNP MSP for Linlithgow, said she was “very saddened” by Johnson and Johnson’s decision.
She said: “I know that this will be a difficult and anxious time for the workforce and their families and I will do whatever I can.”
Officials from the Unite union described the decision as “heartbreaking”.
In a statement released last Thursday Johnson & Johnson said: “JJMD initiated the consultation process with the regional and local works councils to propose our intent to close the Ethicon ‘Kirkton’ manufacturing site in Livingston, Scotland.
“This could potentially impact approximately 400 employees, pending the outcome of the consultation process.”
The statement added: “We carefully assessed our options and recognize our proposed plans have the potential to significantly affect our employees, their families and the local community.”