Fiona Hyslop Comments on Vion Halls Announcement of Threat to Broxburn Plant
Fiona Hyslop MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency has commented on today’s announcement from Vion Halls about a consultation on the closure of their Broxburn branch employing over 1000 permanent workers.
Ms Hyslop said:
“This is a devastating blow for workers and their families in West Lothian. Vion Halls is the biggest private employer in this constituency and there are many experienced workers with expertise in food production in the company and we must make every effort to try and secure a positive outcome.”
Ms Hyslop will be attending a rapidly convened Government-led Task Force later on this evening as the local MSP.
She continued:
“I call on everyone concerned; management, unions, the workforce, enterprise agencies, Government and Local Council to pull together to tackle the enormous challenge facing West Lothian.
“The Halls site has been under threat on a number of occasions over recent years before Vion Halls took it over in 2008.
“Vion appears to have been unable to resolve this situation due to internal changes within its company and increased demands in production at the Broxburn site, resulting in substantial losses which has led to this situation. The workforce, however should not have to pay the price.
“We must all pull together for the good of the workforce to support the West Lothian economy and as the local constituency MSP I will do everything I can to assist.”