MCVITIE'S workers have called for Nicola Sturgeon to step in and save the historic biscuit factory from closure.
The move would cost 468 jobs at risk of redundancy if the plant in Tollcross, Glasgow, is permanently shut in the second half of 2022.
Staff at the landmark factory, which has been in operation for nearly a century, launched an online petition in a bid to convince bosses to change their minds.
McVitie's owner Pladis has said it has “excess capacity” and wants to move work to other sites down south.
READ MORE: David Linden urges Boris Johnson to help protect McVities jobs
The petition titled “Help stop the closure of McVitie's Tollcross Glasgow, save our jobs” has so far gathered over 51,000 signatures since it was launched two weeks ago.
But yesterday, the workers added an update calling on the First Minister for help.
The update reads: “We the workers of McVitie's Tollcross Glasgow call on the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to at least make a statement or comment on the planned closure of our factory.”
It adds underneath: “We need to hear from you First Minister.”
In a wider appeal, the petition added: “It was announced to the workforce during world mental health week that the plan for the factory was to wind down and close with the loss of nearly 500 jobs.
“As you can imagine the workforce were shocked and left devastated at the news.
“Our aim as workers is to fight for alternative ways to keep the factory viable rather than close. We ask you to sign the petition and ask Pladis to think again at the impact of closure not just on the workers but on the communities it serves.
“The workforce have been loyal to Pladis and worked as key workers throughout the pandemic.”
We previously told how the issue was brought up at PMQs by an SNP MP who urged the Prime Minister to intervene and save workers' jobs.
David Linden, MP for Glasgow East, said he is committed to taking all possible steps to save the factory, especially after Pladis posted record-breaking profits this year.
Linden urged the Prime Minister to intervene on what he described as an "economic armageddon" on an already “fragile local economy”.
READ MORE: Glasgow McVitie's workers gather to fight factory closure
Responding to Linden's question, Johnson said the Tollcross factory was a "proud part of the Scottish economy" and that workers and their families "will be very concerned about what’s happening".
He thanked Linden for raising the issue and said that talks are currently ongoing with Pladis, the Turkish company that owns McVitie's.
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