Workers in protest at plant sale
Disabled staff start week-long strike over fears for jobs
FURIOUS disabled workers today demonstrated outside a Remploy factory in Glasgow at the start of a week-long strike.
Industrial action is being taken after the Springburn plant attracted three potential private sector buyers – but there are fears that whichever is successful could slash wages and sack staff with the most severe disabilities production.
Remploy recruits disabled staff, including war veterans, but the Government is to close loss-making factories across the UK to save millions of pounds in subsidies. Ministers claim affected workers will be able to find jobs with mainstream employers.
The most profitable sites are being sold to the private sector –including the Remploy factory at Edgefauld Road in Springburn, which has almost 50 staff.
But so far the Government has refused to identify the interested parties which has prevented unions from conducting background
to boost checks. Union leader Phil Davies of the GMB today warned: “We understand that all three potential buyers may want to make redundancies based on the individual disability.”
Glasgow MSP Bob Doris, who is backing the strike, said: “I have raised signifi- cant concern over the Springburn factory’s sell-off with the Scottish and UK Governments.
“This week’s strike by workers demonstrates the anger by a normally well motivated and committed work force.
“The entire sales process should be delayed to allow the concerns of workers to be addressed at Remploy Springburn. They deserve better.”
A Remploy spokesman insisted: “Prospective bidders are encouraged to engage with the trade unions and employees. Indeed, bidders are interested in acquiring sites because they value the skills of the workforce.”
Last month 25 Remploy sites were shutdown, including one in Wishaw with the loss of more than 20 jobs.