A TRADE union has voiced anger over plans to close Scotland’s last railway workshop, putting 180 “highly skilled” jobs at risk.
Gemini Rail Services said the former Knorr-Bremse RailServices depot in Glasgow’s Springburn, which it took over recently, would be shut because of an “unsustainable decline” in demand for the maintenance of rail stock. The firm said this was a result of ScotRail introducing new rolling stock.
The depot has existed in some form for 160 years.
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Unite is urging the Scottish Government to intervene urgently. It said it had repeatedly raised concerns over the future workload of the site and if the proposed closure goes ahead, Scotland’s rail stock will be repaired and maintained in England.
Unite regional industrial officer Pat Mcilvogue said: “The proposed closure will affect around 200 highly skilled jobs and lead to the ludicrous situation whereby the maintenance of Scotland’s rail stock would be carried out in England.
“This is completely unacceptable, which is why Unite has been raising this issue with the Scottish Government over a number of months. We believe there is a significant body of work which can sustain the site until the end of next year at the very least.”
A spokesman for the company said: “It is with deep regret that Gemini Rail Services has had to announce to employees its proposal to close the Springburn site in Glasgow.”
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