Rolls-Royce Axes 220 Scottish Jobs
Rolls-Royce announces plans to cut over 200 jobs at its Inchinnan and East Kilbride aircraft engine plants
More than 200 jobs are being cut at Rolls-Royce plants in Scotland under plans by the engineering giant for a worldwide cutback.
The company said 187 posts would go at its facility in Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, and another 31 jobs would be lost from its East Kilbride plant.
The cuts follow an announcement by the firm in November last year that 2,600 jobs will be cut worldwide over an 18-month period as part of restructuring of its aerospace division.
A Rolls-Royce spokeswoman said: We have identified a requirement to reduce the headcount at our Inchinnan manufacturing facilities by approximately 90 during 2015 and 97 during 2016.
We have also identified a requirement to reduce the headcount at our East Kilbride facility by 31 during 2015.
It is never an easy decision to propose reductions in our workforce and we will look to meet this requirement by voluntary means wherever possible. We will also explore all mitigation including redeployment to other sites and are offering full support to employees who are impacted by the changes.''
Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan said: The level of job losses is very disappointing. Our thoughts are with the workers and families affected and the council will work with partners over the coming months to do all we can to help those affected.
The company has made clear that its decision is based on general market conditions and not any specific Renfrewshire factors. There is still a skilled and experienced workforce at Inchinnan which has delivered for Rolls-Royce over many years and is entitled to clear reassurances for the future. I am seeking a meeting with representatives of the company.''
Commenting Unite regional officer, Debbie Hutchings said: “These cuts are a huge loss of skills to the Scottish economy and will lead to a further hollowing out of the company’s skills base in Scotland.
“Decent jobs are being taken out of the local economy in a short-term move which will undermine Scottish engineering. “There is every danger that Rolls-Royce will shoot itself in the foot with this move and face a skills shortage when there is an upturn in orders. “The company needs to give assurances over its long term plans for manufacturing in Scotland and provide guarantees over no compulsory redundancies.”