Workers at a closure-threatened Dundee factory are to be given the chance to put forward a new plan to save the business.
Employees at Flint Group’s transfer media site on Old Glamis Road were left stunned earlier this month when they were told it had been earmarked for possible closure.
The GMB union immediately disputed Flint’s position that the site was significantly loss-making and vowed to fight for its future.
A mass meeting of the site’s 117 staff was held at the Dee Club on Friday to update workers on developments.
Local politicians Shona Robison MSP and Chris Law MP were invited to attend and workers were told Flint Group’s local operations manager had pledged to give them the chance to bring forward an alternative plan for the site.
Ms Robison said: “We were able to pass on the workforce the assurance that David Wood gave me at an earlier meeting today at the plant that they would have the time they need even beyond the statutory 45 days, in order to try to come up with a viable proposal.
“He also told me that they could have the support of the financial team at Flint in order to do that. I welcome these assurances.”
Drew Duffy, GMB Scotland organising officer, said it had been a very positive meeting and staff were close to finalising their alternative proposal.
The plan centres on making the site more efficient but does not envisage a staff buy-out.
Mr Duffy said: “There is a real drive from everybody to not leave any stone unturned about how we can save the site. We have almost finished a counter proposal we are just waiting to get some advice on it and we hope to present it to the group next week or the week after.”
The plant’s future will be highlighted again today during a mass union rally in the city centre.
Mr Wood said the future of the factory remains undecided and a second meeting with staff and representatives had taken place this week.
He said; “During this session we shared further information and insights around the global marketplace and the financial figures for the Dundee facility.
“We continue to have open and honest discussions with our people and cannot comment further at this stage of the consultation process.
“No decision has been made and as we have stated previously we will provide a complete update at the end of the process.”