UK: Union officials have raised concerns over 41 job losses at Tarmac’s Dunbar cement plant in East Lothian, which represents about a third of its workforce. The plant has been described as ‘critically important to the Scottish economy,’ according to The Scotsman newspaper. Trade union GMB Scotland has called on the Scottish government to intervene, warning that the cuts would harm local communities and Scotland’s manufacturing base. The 0.7Mt/yr plant has reportedly entered talks with workers over the potential job cuts, but questioned have been raised over whether production levels can be maintained after job losses.
GMB Scotland organiser Stephen McGhee said “This may be the first step in deindustrialising the site with work, skills and taxes going elsewhere. With the widespread use of concrete, this would be another blow to Scotland’s manufacturing base and workforce.”
