16 November 2010
UNISON VOWS TO FIGHT CLOSURE OF BLINDCRAFT
UNISON and the other trades unions at Blindcraft
have vowed to fight the closure of its renowned
beds factory in Edinburgh as they join with workers
to lobby the City of Edinburgh Council meeting on
18 November.
UNISON understands the City of Edinburgh Council's
Lib Dem /SNP Administration is to push for the closure
of Blindcraft at the meeting.
Kevin Duguid, UNISON lead negotiator, said: "The
closure plans are being pushed through despite the
unions positively engaging with the Council over
Blindcraft's future and coming up with proposals,
including a reduced working week, which would hugely
reduce the deficit the organization faces".
Many of those losing their jobs are people with
disabilities who will find it incredibly difficult
to get another job and to cope with a huge upheaval
to their daily life.
"These are skilled staff who make a quality product
that is more than a match for its competitors",
added Mr Duguid.
"Unions and council officials met last week with
the Minister for Enterprise, Jim Mather but this
failed to address the reality of the position Blindcraft
is in and concentrated more on nice words and platitudes
than any help that could be offered.
"Nothing constructive emerged from that meeting,
but if the Scottish Government are serious about
supporting people with disabilities to be part of
mainstream society they must put their money where
their mouth is and support places like Blindcraft",
said Mr Duguid.
There will be a lobby of the Council Meeting on
Thursday at 9.30am which Blindcraft Staff will attend
and the unions will be calling for the Council to
reject closure and work with all stakeholders including
the Scottish Government to safeguard the future
of Blindcraft .