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MSP calls for talks after workers told plastic plant to close

Gillian Mackay is calling for urgent talks with stakeholders and workers to investigate if there can be any way to protect their futures.

Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay is calling for urgent talks to try and avert the loss of more than 100 jobs at a plastics factory in Grangemouth.

Workers at Italian owned Versalis were told today that 135 direct jobs were at risk with hundreds more in the value chain also affected. 

Gillian Mackay MSP said: “This will be devastating news for workers and their families, and all efforts must be taken to try and support them. I am asking for urgent updates from the site owners and unions as to what else might be done.

“Coming ten days before Christmas Eve the timing of this announcement is particularly cruel, plunging the immediate staff and all those who would be impacted by the decision into deep uncertainty ahead of the festive break. 

“We cannot have a situation where businesses opt to just up sticks and leave, abandoning the staff and the community that have supported them loyalty and skilfully over the years, without exhausting every possible alternative solution.

“I am calling for urgent talks with all stakeholders and workers to investigate if there can be any way to protect their futures.”

Ms Mackay is also campaigning to support workers impacted by the threat of job losses at the nearby Petroineos site where 500 jobs are under threat.