Government must retain and retrain Alexander Dennis workers
The Scottish and UK governments must take immediate actions to retain the highly skilled workforce from Alexander Dennis if their factories in Falkirk and Lambert close, the Scottish Greens have said.
Writing to the Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Mark Ruskell MSP said that the closure put 400 direct jobs at risk, and up to 1,600 more indirectly in the wider Falkirk and Grangemouth area.
Speaking after sending the letter, Mr Ruskell said:
“The factories in Falkirk and Lambert are putting electric buses on roads across Europe. Their closure would be a devastating blow to local communities at a time when our green economy should be booming.
“Manufacturing could continue here profitably for years to come, and the Government must leave no stone unturned to keep them working. But if their owners are determined to move, then Ministers need to recognise the importance that retaining a skilled workforce has for Scotland’s future.
“We recognised this at Grangemouth, and when the refinery closed Forth Valley College received funding to offer support and training. This helped keep these essential skills in our communities and economy.
“The First Minister has said he’ll do “everything he can” to support the workers. But we must now see those words transform into action with a proper plan, community and trade union involvement, and significant investment. To do anything else would be a betrayal of Scotland’s future.”
Text of letter sent to DFM Kate Forbes by Mark Ruskell
Dear Deputy First Minister,
I write to you following the news that bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis, which has
factories in Falkirk and Larbert, announced that it was considering moving
manufacturing to a site in Scarborough.
This decision is a further devastating blow to hundreds of workers and to a community
that already feels like it has been abandoned following job losses at the nearby INEOS
site in Grangemouth.
From conversations with Unite the Union representatives there is understandable worry
around the uncertainty and many of their members want answers and action from their
elected representatives.
The workers from ALD, similarly to those from Grangemouth, could have a crucial role to
play in our green future. But warm words alone about a just transition won’t pay the
bills, it needs investment, and it needs a proper plan. To achieve our climate targets, we
must retain the workers, and urgently upscale their knowledge and skills needed to
deliver them.
I believe that there is life in the current Falkirk and Larbert sites, and that manufacturing
in Scotland can continue for many years to come. However, if the Canadian owned firm
have their sights set on England, then I would hope that the Scottish and UK
Governments would support workers at risk of redundancy with skills and training.
These workers are highly skilled and have an important contribution to make locally and
nationally.
Forth Valley College has received funding from the Scottish and UK Governments to
support the Grangemouth workers and this should be no different for those employed
by Alexander Dennis. For every job in bus manufacturing, it is estimated that there is a
multiplier of three to four jobs in the wider supply chain and support services. The
closure announcement on this basis put up to 1,600 jobs at risk in the wider Falkirk and
Grangemouth area.
I hope that Ministers will work with the trade unions to retain jobs and skills in the
community and to ensure that it is workers and local people who are leading the
process.
Could I ask when the Government is planning to meet with workers and trade unions? It
would be beneficial to get all parties round the table, including the current employers,
to explore the next steps.
Kind regards,
Mark Ruskell MSP
MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife