JOHN Swinney has said he is open to establishing a publicly owned bus company on the Alexander Dennis site, where more than 100 jobs have been axed.
The First Minister made the comments at the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) annual congress in Dundee on Tuesday, where hundreds of members of Scotland's largest trade union body have gathered this week.
It comes after members passed an emergency motion calling on the next Scottish government to investigate whether it would be possible to do so.
Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis announced last month that more than 100 jobs at its Falkirk base are at risk of being cut, despite a government rescue bid.
Alexander Dennis announced last year that 400 jobs were at risk, but a multi-million furlough scheme was agreed with the Scottish Government in September to help protect roles.
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However, the company has said that up to 115 roles would be placed at risk of potential redundancy, with a consultation being announced.
The First Minister met with Alexander Dennis workers at the STUC congress on Tuesday, where he also gave a speech saying he was "not afraid to take on vested interests".
Swinney told The National that the workers had asked him whether or not he would be open to exploring the idea of establishing a publicly owned bus company.
He said: "The workers put that to me, and I understand exactly why – because they feel very frustrated and very concerned about the future employment of the workforce.
"I said I was very happy to consider that, there's obviously a lot of issues that have to be borne in mind about any form of publicly owned bus construction company.
"But as with all of my dealings with the Alexander Dennis workforce, in good faith, I will engage with them on that question."
The First Minister was also asked about his party's election "battle bus", as he confirmed to the PA news agency that it was built in Scotland, and was a "Volvo from Parks of Hamilton".
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Meanwhile, Swinney rejected calls for a public inquiry after leaked text messages allegedly showed senior SNP figures “conspiring” against Alex Salmond.
The First Minister also weighed in on the ongoing row between Scottish Labour and Reform – sparked by Anas Sarwar's claim at the STUC congress on Monday that a Reform MSP attacked his colleagues in a private conversation – branding it a "terrible spat".
"The simple thing that I will add to that discussion is that if people are concerned about Reform having influence over the governance of Scotland, a simple way to lock them out is to vote for the SNP," he told The National.
"I give an absolute, unreserved commitment that I will lock out Reform if I'm fortunate enough to be in a position to do so."
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