LOGISTICS giant Menzies Distribution is to axe scores of jobs at its Linwood base.
The company has said approximately 80 members of staff will be impacted and follows other job cuts across Renfrewshire during the coronavirus pandemic, with the likes of engineering firm Rolls-Royce and fashion chain M&Co reducing their workforce.
Debbie Hutchings, regional industrial officer at the Unite trade union, described the Menzies Distribution announcement as a “heavy blow” for staff in Linwood.
"Significant government support is absolutely necessary for the Renfrewshire area due to the scale of redundancies across the local economy," she told The Gazette.
“Unite will be doing everything we can to support our members at Menzies Distribution during this very difficult period and we will exhaust every avenue to ensure alternative employment is found to stave off any compulsory redundancies.”
Renfrewshire South MSP Tom Arthur added: "This is devastating news for the staff at Menzies, many of whom have worked through this pandemic.
"I will support them in any way I can and have written to the Scottish Government to ask that they provide swift support to those affected through the PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) initiative."
A spokesperson for Menzies Distribution said: "We can confirm that approximately 80 jobs at our Linwood branch are impacted by an operational reorganisation.
"We are supporting those affected, offering additional roles right across our business, including redeploying into roles available locally."
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