Russell Europe

Michael Connarty MP met with Eric Harton one of the American Directors from Russell Europe on Friday(19th), together with Sarah Sher their Human resources Director.

The Operations Director, Ms Jak Waugh and the rep for Community Trade Union, Tony Lackay also took part in the meeting.

The company confirmed that they intended withdrawing their warehouse facility from Scotland in stages, with final closure of the Bathgate operation planned for November 2010.

The nightshift would be ended by 17 July 2009. There was a full and frank discussion including detailed questioning from Michael Connarty MP of the programme of closure and the guarantees for support for employees at all levels. Guarantees were given to assist employees to seek and find new jobs, and to improve their certificated skills during the phased closure.

Michael said:“This closure is a bitter blow for a hard working group of employees. It was a far reaching and probing meeting. Many guarantees were given regarding the care of the present employees during this very unpleasant closure process. I will be writing to the management to secure these guarantees in writing. I will be visiting the warehouse in Bathgate in the near future to hear any concerns that the employees or their trade union, which I have been invited to raise with the management. My aim is to help the employees to get the best deal possible in the circumstances.”