First Minister Alex Salmond has pledged to support hundreds of workers facing possible redundancy at publisher D. C. Thomson in Dundee.
The company this week announced proposals to close its gravure, sheet-fed printing production and book binding operations in the city with the potential loss of up to 350 jobs.
The issue was raised by Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick at First Minister’s Questions, who told MSPs his father had worked for the company and that his brother is one of those whose job is affected.
Mr FitzPatrick said “nearly every family in Dundee has a connection to D. C. Thomson.”
“They have got a loyal workforce, many of whom would want to stay working for the company and I am pleased to hear of the commitment from the management to minimise the number of compulsory redundancies,” he said.
Mr Salmond said he shared the concern expressed and pledged the support of the Scottish Government’s Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative.
“I can confirm that the Scottish Government acted immediately to offer support of the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment initiative, which will be available to D. C. Thomson employees facing redundancy,” he said.
“I understand the company intends to set up a job shop on site.
“PACE representatives will contact the company again next week and maintain close liaison to ensure that affected employees receive maximum support.
“The PACE initiative is by definition an initiative to ameliorate and respond to a major job or industrial closure.
“It has had very substantial success placing people in new jobs in a number of serious situations and we all wish it well in responding to this one in Dundee.”