GMB: Stop electioneering and save Volvo jobs

Ministers have been too busy electioneering to fight for jobs under threat at a Scottish truck factory, according to GMB Scotland.

The union fears politicians have been distracted by the looming Scottish elections as 122 jobs remain at risk at the Volvo plant in Lanarkshire.

The union, representing workers the plant, formerly Terex trucks, in Motherwell, has now written to the boss of Volvo urging him to pause redundancies to allow potential contracts to be investigated.

GMB fears the jobs under threat as production of Rokbak trucks ends could be followed by more as the company considers moving production of other dump trucks and earth-moving vehicles to China.

Rory Steel, GMB organiser, fears the Holyrood election campaign has taken political attention from the closure plans and urged the company to pause the redundancy programme while other options are investigated.

Writing to Martin Lundstedt, president and chief executive of the Chinese-owned Volvo Group, Steel said everything possible must be done protect a plant that has, for 75 years, underpinned skilled jobs and communities in Motherwell, a town hit hard by industrial decline.

Steel said: “The UK Government has agreed to look at any potential defence contracts that could be placed in Motherwell in the short and long term.

“They have also agreed to use their global networks in target markets around the world to drum up orders and work for the Motherwell yard.

“Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has contacted you to look at what support they can offer through their public agency Scottish Enterprise.

“What is needed is a willingness from Volvo management to pause and seriously engage with workers and ministers to find potential ways forward that will secure and protect jobs in Motherwell for many years to come.”

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) announced the closure of Rokbak last month as part of a “long-term strategic shift and due to the unsustainable profitability”.

The union has urged ministers to engage with management to identify potential contracts, buy workers’ time, and allow the company to find a new way forward for the plant where bosses have ordered a review of other production lines and their possible relocation to China.

In his letter to the Swedish motor giant, owned by the Chinese giant Geely, Steel said: “For 75 years, the Motherwell site has provided well paid and skilled employment to people in Lanarkshire with a background of declining industry.

“Volvo CE stands as one of the last remaining heavy manufacturers in the area.

“The impact of this closure will be felt not just by our members, but across communities. Volvo prides itself on being a responsible and respectful employer.

“Even entertaining the idea of moving production from Scotland to China in the current economic climate undermines that reputation.”