Massive Vote Of Confidence In Glacier Workforce
22nd April 2008
Local MP, Des Browne, welcomed the decision by Mahle, the new owners of the Glacier, not only to save the plant but to transfer jobs to it.
Des said:
" In March last year, when Mahle bought Dana Bearings it could have spelled the end for both their Scottish plants, in Kilmarnock and Bathgate. An early proposal would have seen both sites close and all the production moved to a Mahle site in the USA. "
"However, thanks to the effective work of both the management and the trade unions most of the Scottish jobs have been saved. Unfortunately, with most of the work being consolidated at Kilmarnock, the Bathgate plant will close and 80 jobs will go. 50 will move to Kilmarnock"
" I have kept in close touch with developments and have received regular briefings from Jim Pearson, the Shop Stewards Convenor. I know the mood among the workforce in Kilmarnock is upbeat, but of course they are sympathetic to and concerned for the Bathgate workers. Kilmarnock's advantage lay in its particularly skilled workers and its unique product line combined with the better return on new investment, the capacity for growth and that consolidation there protected most jobs. The Glacier workforce could increase to more than 600. "
"I have been in regular touch with my parliamentary colleagues in Lothian and assured them if Bathgate workers want to move with their jobs, they will be made welcome I Ayrshire. I am sure that EAC will do everything to help workers relocate. Finally I will be arranging to meet with the new management in the next few weeks to offer any assistance they need in this consolidation"
Ends
