MORE than 40 jobs could be lost at Scotland's only cement plant as workers union demands action from the Scottish Government.
Trade union GMB Scotland has written to the Scottish Government warning that there could be redundancies at Tarmac’s facility, just outside Dunbar, in East Lothian.
Union officials said 41 jobs, around a third of the overall workforce, could be lost and will not only affect communities in East Lothian but undermine Scotland’s manufacturing base as they describe the facility as “critically important to the Scottish economy”.
The plant, which makes some 700,000 tonnes of cement each year, is reportedly in talks with workers over the potential job cuts.
Stephen McGhee, GMB Scotland organiser, has challenged claims by the firm's bosses that production levels can be maintained if the workers lose their jobs, the Scotsman has reported.
McGhee reportedly also raised concern about health and safety implications of increasing pressure on a stretched workforce in a letter to Scottish economy secretary Kate Forbes.
“This may be the first step in deindustrialising the site with work, skills and taxes going elsewhere,” he said.
“With the widespread use of concrete, this would be another blow to Scotland’s manufacturing base and workforce.”
McGhee’s call for political intervention follows a £1.5 million grant awarded to Tarmac from the Scottish Government to expand rail operations at the Dunbar site five years ago.
Forbes said: “I was disappointed to learn of the potential job losses at the Tarmac site in Dunbar and strongly encourage the company to explore all available options to minimise redundancies. I will reply to the GMB union’s letter at the earliest opportunity.
“The people affected by this announcement are our immediate priority.”
A spokesperson for Tarmac said: “A consultation process is underway with employees of the Dunbar Cement Plant as part of planned changes to the operational structure and practices within our Cement and Packing operations.
“The consultation is ongoing and we’re committed to conducting the process with transparency and fairness. There will be no final decisions until the consultation period ends.”
