72 jobs to go at Livingston aviation manufacturer
Wyman Gordon is planning to let go more than a third of its workforce in West Lothian
A Livingston aviation company is set to make 72 workers redundant because of a big fall in demand during the coronavirus pandemic.
Wyman Gordon employs 187 people at its base in the Houston Industrial Estate, making complex metal parts for aircraft.
But bosses say there has been a drop in orders from engine makers like Rolls Royce, and Pratt and Whitney, amid the current collapse in air travel.
Union leaders have voiced their criticism of the decision though, saying the firm could have kept workers on furlough instead.
Graeme Turnbull, regional officer of Unite, said: “Unite will fight these proposed redundancies because this is an unnecessary decision by Wyman Gordon.
"We understand the challenges facing the sector because it’s our members on the frontline, but the company should continue using the job retention scheme while specific sector support packages are brought forward.
"More clearly needs to be done by the UK and Scottish Government to stabilise those sectors who have borne the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic in order to give confidence to companies and workers that there is a clear way forward for the aviation and aerospace industries out of this crisis.”
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