450 Scottish jobs at risk at poultry plant

9 February 2018, 14:05 | Updated: 9 February 2018, 14:08

Nine hundred jobs are at risk at three poultry plants which are facing closure.

2 Sisters Food Group (2SFG) said it is consulting on closure proposals at three "loss-making" sites.

The sites facing closure are Cambuslang in Scotland, with 450 jobs at risk and Smethwick and Wolverhampton in England, where 350 and 100 posts are at risk respectively.

However the company said that it will be creating up to 1,000 new jobs within the poultry supply chain.

A 2SFG spokesman said: "As we continue to build a better business, we are simplifying how we work and investing in the areas that can make the most positive difference to our UK poultry operations.

"This means that we will be creating up to 1,000 new roles within the poultry supply chain.

"However, we do have areas of significant challenge and regrettably 900 roles will be at risk at three loss-making sites which we propose to close.

"Our focus now will be to support all affected colleagues and explore all alternative options available to us before making any final decisions."

2SFG said it is creating new jobs at three locations in England - Willand, Devon (300 new roles); Site D, West Bromwich (potentially 400 new roles) and Scunthorpe (30 new roles).

It also plans to create 250 new roles in Coupar Angus, Scotland and 35 at Llangefni in Wales.

The Unite union said it would fight to stop the closure of the plant in Cambuslang.

Scot Walker, trade union convenor at the Cambuslang plant, has worked there for almost 30 years.

He said: "Obviously we are dismayed at the news of the possible closure. But it is far too early to accept that this is the final word.

"Unite will do everything in negotiation with the company to find a way to safeguard the future of the site and protect the jobs. What's at stake are more than 450 jobs and the future of the local community."

He added: "The company are saying that staff can be redeployed to other sites run by the company - like Coupar Angus. That is not a viable alternative which dictates the necessity of fighting to save the plant in Cambuslang."