The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dundee festive blow as manufacturer cuts more than 100 jobs
LOSSES: Scores of temporary workers will be unemployed with just a week to go until Christmas
A Dundee manufacturer has delivered a festive blow by cutting more than 100 jobs just a week before Christmas.
Fuel pump firm Dover Fueling Solutions said its city operation is “stable” despite scores of temporary workers losing their jobs this week.
The firm assembles petrol pumps for a global customer base from its premises at West Pitkerro Industrial Estate.
It is understood the company axed around 130 people – employed through an agency – at a meeting on Monday.
Dover, which acquired the Tokheim brand three years ago, employs more than 700 workers in Dundee.
A company spokesperson said: “At Dover Fueling Solutions we constantly review our business strategy.
“With the cyclical nature of our business, we can’t comment about temporary employment within the organisation.”
The number of job losses was not confirmed by Dover. The workers were employed by EN Recruitment on behalf of the company.
Bob Macgregor, Unite union regional official for Tayside, said: “The order books are down a bit after Christmas but it’s expected to pick back up.
“I want people to know how unfairly we’ve been treated. There wasn’t even a proper apology. AFFECTED WORKER
“Dover are trying to protect the core workforce and I have no doubts about the future of the company in Dundee.”
One of the people to have lost their job – who did not want to be named – said workers are “devastated”.
The worker, who lives in Dundee, had been at the company for almost two years but will now be out of a job on Friday.
He said: “It’s made me more nervous for after Christmas because I have two young kids – times are hard as it is without worrying about money.
“I want people to know how unfairly we’ve been treated. There wasn’t even a proper apology from management or team leaders, which would have gone a long way.”
Another worker said: “This is a bit harsh just one week before Christmas.
“It sometimes happens that EN Recruitment pay a lot of people off then take them on again when they have more work.”
Dover has invested millions of pounds into its Dundee site, including a 45,000sq ft factory extension that cost £14 million.
The company spokesperson said: “We have made significant investments in the operations in Dundee and we continue to do so. The business is stable and we continue to grow year over year.”
The Dundee operation started in 1948 when the Veeder Root factory opened. It became Dunclare Dispensers as part of a management buy-out in 1983.
The current premises opened in 1995 after Schlumberger acquired Dunclare Dispensers.
Tokheim bought the operation in 1998 and in 2016 Dover acquired Tokheim.
EN Recruitment did not comment.