Fear Muirfield Contracts folding will start ‘domino effect’

A union chief has said more needs to be done to help apprentices who lost their jobs when Muirfield Contracts folded.

George Ramsay, regional organiser with Ucatt, said he is dismayed Dundee City Council has not done more to help secure work for the remaining trainee workers who are still unemployed.

And he warned that the unemployed apprentices were only part of a bigger problem that could result from the collapse of Muirfield.

He said: “There could be a domino effect but we’re unlikely to hear about it until it is too late and another firm folds.

“These things are not talked about until the bad news comes that another firm is in difficulties.”

Last week it was revealed that Dundee blacksmiths Fenwicks had gone into provisional liquidation as a direct result of the Muirfield closure, resulting in 14 job losses.

Mr Ramsay added: “Whatever is happening, work is not coming to local people, despite assurances that Dundee workers would get employment as a result of projects like the waterfront.

“I understood there was supposed to be a plan that said local labourers would be employed, but we’re not seeing that happening.”