GMB Calls For Reassurances Over Long-Term Future Of Historic Glasgow Biscuit Manufacturer

GMB Calls For Reassurances Over Long-Term Future Of Historic Glasgow Biscuit Manufacturer

GMB Scotland has today (Thursday 3 August) urged management at McVitie’s to reassure workers over its long-term commitment to production in Glasgow’s East End, amid silence over the future of investment at the Tollcross site.

In a letter to General Site Manager Mandy Major, GMB is urging the employer to engage with workers and provide transparency over the needs of the business to address concerns that funding is not being brought forward for the modernisation of production lines.

The historic plant, which employs over 500 people, bakes much loved UK household staples such as hob nobs and rich tea biscuits and is also a major producer for food retail giants like M&S.

Following a series of acquisitions, McVitie’s is now owned by global biscuit and confectionary giant Pladis which generated revenues of over £4 billion last year and is part of Yildiz Holding, the biggest food manufacturer in Central Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (CEEMA) region.

GMB Senior Organiser Drew Duffy said: “The fact that we cannot get clarity from the General Site Manager over the business needs and investment plan for the future of Tollcross is deeply concerning our members.  

Generations of families have worked here and the workforce is highly concentrated in the local community and the Greater Glasgow area, a crucial pillar of decent employment in an area of high unemployment and social deprivation.

So from the perspective of jobs, pay and prosperity, and against the backdrop of Brexit, rising cost of living and chronic manufacturing decline, the east end desperately needs a thriving manufacturing presence at McVities.

That’s why we are calling for clarity and reassurances, so we can understand what is needed to secure continued production and employment in the East End for years to come.”

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Contact: Peter Welsh, GMB Scotland Communications, on 07976 447077.