Fury as Cumbernauld workers remain on site

The row has broken out at a location which will controversially cease its operations later this year - Cummins Diesel.

Unite the Union has taken issue with the fact that 50 workers are still on the site at Wardpark’s Napier Place - and argues that the work they are being asked to do is non-essential.

Unite boss Pat McIlvogue said: “It is totally unacceptable because there is no need for them to be on site.

“Cummins have always stated that they would do the right thing by our members but, yet again, we are faced with our members being treated poorly by the company.

“It’s our understanding that the workforce at other sites in England have been furloughed, so we are at a loss as to why this has this not happened at Cumbernauld?

It’s a clear case of the company putting profits before the health and safety of the workers. We repeat our call to furlough the workforce immediately and keep our members safe.”

That view was echoed by MSP Jamie Hepburn and MP Stuart McDonald - both of whom have accused Cummins of continually refusing to heed contingency plans to save the Cumbernauld plant.

The pair revealed that they had received complaints from a number of local workplaces which have been told to press on - which includes Cummins staff.

The statement said: “Since hearing these concerns, we have made contact with the companies directly to seek clarity regarding the extent to which the work taking place could be considered vital during the ongoing pandemic.

“It is of paramount importance that all businesses continue to observe the Scottish Government guidance about social distancing for businesses to maintain the safety and health of the general public.”

A spokesperson for Cummins said that the aggrieved workers were failing to take crucial factors into account.

He said : “At Cumbernauld, we support the maintenance of critical rail rolling stock This is needed to ensure that essential goods, including food and medicine, can continue to be transported around the country.

“We have furloughed some employees at specific sites, where production levels have fallen either because our demand or supplier production has reduced.

“However, that is not the case at Cumbernauld.”

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