CITY councillors have unanimously agreed to work together in a bid to secure a future for the McVities site in Tollcross.

The SNP’s Laura Doherty brought a motion – seconded by Labour councillor Frank McAveety – to full council which called for cross-party support for the at-risk workers.

She said the factory is a “vital” part of the East End economy.

Owner Pladis announced plans to close the plant earlier this week – with work set to move to other factories in the UK.

Glasgow Times:

Cllr Doherty said: “The factory employs over 450 people, and this proposed closure is a crushing blow for so many of these hardworking men and women, many of whom who have been at the site for years, and some decades.

“There can be few people in the East End who don’t know somebody who has worked there.”

She said McVities staff had “laboured tirelessly” throughout the pandemic, despite the “fears of ill health that going to work in person has meant for many”.

“It seems to me a shameful betrayal of these loyal workers,” she added.

“After all this time, just as we are approaching the end of this crisis, to rob them of the hope of better days ahead by putting their financial futures in jeopardy.”

A taskforce has been set up by the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Glasgow City Council to explore options for retaining the jobs and securing a future for the site.

“We must come together as a council to work to protect the livelihoods of those in Tollcross and all across the East End,” Cllr Doherty said.

The motion was supported by all parties, who will aim to secure a “sustainable” future for the factory and support affected workers.

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Tories leader Thomas Kerr said: “This factory is an East End institution and its closure would be nothing less than a betrayal of workers who have dedicated decades of service to its success, including maintaining food production during the pandemic, and a stain of the proud history of this brand in Scotland.

“I am hopefully that through co-operation between the company, governments, trade unions and the council that a agreement can be reached which saves this facility.”

Pladis has said its plans will be subject to a “full and meaningful consultation” with employees.

David Murray, the firm’s managing director in the UK and Ireland, has said: “Our priority is to provide workers with the support they need during the consultation process.

“We must take steps to address excess capacity in the UK. This overcapacity limits our ability to make the right investments in future capabilities to meet the very big changes in our industry.”