Politicians say they are seeking assurances over the jobs of Arbroath oil firm employees.
On Friday it emerged that Weatherford, one of the world’s largest oilfield services firms, is consolidating its workforce in Arbroath, Aberdeen and Great Yarmouth.
The firm employs around 45 staff at its plant in Kirkton Industrial Estate, and fears have been expressed that the site will close and employees will be invited to reapply for their jobs in Aberdeen.
Angus MP Mike Weir and South Angus MSP Graeme Dey are to contact the firm today, on the heels of “difficult” attempts to speak with another local firm.
It recently emerged that 22 staff are being consulted over redundancy at the Halliburton manufacturing and services facility nearby.
Mr Dey told The Courier that the impact of low global oil prices and high taxation is being “keenly felt” but the outlook will be “brighter” in the long term when prices rise.
He said: “But that will be of little consolation to the people who are losing their jobs now at Halliburton and whose jobs seem to be under threat at Weatherford.
“As well as getting the local PACE Team to contact Halliburton to assist workers there, Mike Weir and I have been seeking to engage directly with the company to ascertain how they see the future in Arbroath and determine whether there is any specific help they are looking for.
“Sadly that is proving difficult to achieve.
“With regard to Weatherford, in the first instance we need to determine just to what extent Arbroath is caught up in the restructuring taking place across the UK.”
Weatherford operates in over 100 countries and employs approximately 39,500 people.
Last year it cut thousands of jobs around the world and earlier this month announced plans to cut an additional 6,000 posts to deal with the ongoing oil slump.
A statement from the firm read: “Weatherford has proposed revised organisational structures for its Aberdeen, Arbroath and Great Yarmouth facilities.
“Prior to taking action on the proposed changes, the company will engage in a consultation exercise with elected representatives of those who may be affected.
“A new organisational chart has been released and all employees are encouraged to apply for positions within this new structure.”
The company also said it would close another nine manufacturing and services facilities but did not specify the locations.