STAFF at a Scottish factory threatened with more than 400 jobs losses are set to meet with management to discuss the future of their employment.
On Tuesday, staff at the Mitsubishi Electric factory in Livingston were told that a redundancy consultation for 436 workers had got underway.
The factory currently employs more than 1600 in Livingston but bosses say they want to cut the workforce to 1200 over the course of the next 45 days.
It is understood that staff are set to meet with managers at the factory on Thursday morning.
In a letter to employees, Mitsubishi bosses said: “I am writing to inform you of potential redundancies for the employees of Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems Europe Ltd (M-ACE).
“Unfortunately, the organisation has recently experienced a deterioration in demand due to market conditions in Mainland Europe.
“As a result, the organisation must align the headcount required to match the expected volumes over 2024-25.
“In the current circumstances the proposed course of action would be to make redundancies in the areas where we have identified that there is insufficient work for the current number of employees.
"As laid down by Section 188 of the Trade Union & Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 and therefore, this letter is sent to you to form the beginning of the consultation process.
“In an attempt to avoid any redundancy dismissals, we would like to enter into meaningful discussions with you as a representative of M-ACE Consultative Committee.
“If we are unable to agree any alternative course of action with you, we would still try to avoid any compulsory redundancies by seeking volunteers across all appropriate sections of the workforce.”
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said he was committed to meeting with staff and bosses “in the coming weeks, while SNP MSP for Livingston Angela Constance said she would be “engaging closely with both the Scottish Government and UK Government to ascertain whether anything can be done to minimise job losses, and to ensure that support reaches those who need it.”
Staff have reported feeling “absolute shock” at the level of job losses being sought by the company, which has been manufacturing air conditioning units in Livingston for more than 30 years.
