Livingston firm makes over third of workforce redundant, blaming drop in orders

Components firm cites aerospace industry

Wyman and Gordon have issued redundancy notices to 72 of its 187 employees

MORE than a third of the workforce at components manufacturers Wyman Gordon in Livingston are to be made redundant, the company announced today.

Notices were issued to 72 of the 187 employees, blaming a big drop in orders due to the crisis facing the aerospace and aviation industries.

The Unite union vowed to fight what it called the “unnecessary” move and criticised the company for its decision not to continue using the UK Government's Job Retention Scheme beyond June 29, and to issue redundancy notices instead.

The company said there had been a substantial drop in orders from Rolls Royce, and Pratt and Whitney, who supply Airbus and Boeing.

And as part of a restructure it is also proposing to review the existing terms and conditions of the remaining employees at the factory.

Graeme Turnbull, Unite regional officer, said: “Unite will fight these proposed redundancies because this is an unnecessary decision by Wyman Gordon.

“We understand the challenges facing the sector because it’s our members on the frontline, but the company should continue using the job retention scheme while specific sector support packages are brought forward.

“More clearly needs to be done by the UK and Scottish Government to stabilise those sectors who have borne the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic in order to give confidence to companies and workers that there is a clear way forward for the aviation and aerospace industries out of this crisis.”

Unite is also campaigning to get the Scottish and UK Government to bring forward sector specific support packages for the wider aviation, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors.

Almond Valley SNP MSP Angela Constance voiced her dismay at the news.

She said: “This news will be devastating for the Wyman Gordon workforce and the prospect of job losses is distressing at any time but more so now.

“Wyman Gordon is a large manufacturing employer in West Lothian and the prospect of them shrinking their workforce by a third due to a fall in orders during the Coronavirus crisis will cause great concern across West Lothian.”

She said she had held discussions with Business Minister Jamie Hepburn to seek support from the Scottish Government and its enterprise agencies.

And she said Mr Hepburn had also written to the UK Government about the need for bespoke support for the aviation and aerospace industry.

“Given the concerns about the disproportionate impact on local economies such as West Lothian it is imperative that everyone pulls to together to take every opportunity to protect, save and create jobs.

“I will continue to offer support to those affected by job loss or the risk of redundancy.”