Jobs bonanza after PPE contract won at Honeywell

The contract has been handed to the firm by the UK Government and 70 million high standard medical grade face mask will be made in the process as from July.

These items will be swiftly distributed to frontline workers both in care homes and the NHS.

This follows pressure from Unite Scotland that both the Scottish and UK Governments should be identifying domestically-based firms to manufacture PPE equipment to prevent any escalation of the virus crisis.

Unite Scottish Secretary, Pat Rafferty, said: “The news that 450 new jobs will be created at Honeywell’s is extremely welcome.

“More needs to be done by the Scottish and UK Governments to identify other firms who can immediately begin this work but this is a major step in the right direction.”

Meanwhile it emerged that a public plea for PPE equipment on the part of North Lanarkshire Council has been given its biggest boost to date after a crowdfunding campaign raised £7000.

It was set up by Motherwell skip hire boss Cameron Dalziel who said that he wanted to do something to show his appreciation of healthcare staff. Kits containing visors and masks have now been bought with the cash.

A spokesperson for NLC said: “Individuals and organisations have been making an outstanding contribution to our communities. Donations of PPE highlights the wider community effort to tackle this health emergency and will help to protect staff and support the most vulnerable.”

Meanwhile, there has been another reminder of a key scheme to provide free protective visors for frontline workers.

We were contacted by a teacher in North Lanarkshire, Linda Johnstone, who has become involved in the rollout of the crowdfunded equipment through her work at Caldervale High School in Airdrie.

Now hundreds of the mask have been handed out in Monklands Hospital but Linda has ensured that some have been kept for key concerns elsewhere.

Linda explained: “I have distributed a large quantity of these free visors to shops, care homes, carers, chemists, Strathcarron Hospice, nurses and individuals

“However, I am also aware that a huge number of key workers in every area could benefit from the visors but know nothing about the scheme. Visors can be ordered from [email protected]”

Anyone who would like to contribute to the cost of the masks is being guided to a Go Fund Me page.

This can be accessed via www.bit.ly/EMERGENCYPPENHS and the web page featured above.