STUC Support Simclar Workers Rally

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and Community have organised a march and rally in support of the 420 employees recently sacked without consultation by the Simclar electronics company in Irvine and Kilwinning, North Ayrshire.

The rally will commence at 11am on Saturday 17th February at the Volunteer Hall, High Street, Irvine, North Ayrshire.

The Simclar employees, fellow trade unionists, members of the community and supportive MPs, MSPs and Councillors will march through Irvine before returning to the Volunteer Hall, where the rally will be held.

The marchers will be addressed by Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, and Willie Paterson, Community Scottish Regional Secretary.

Commenting in advance of the meeting Grahame Smith said “The STUC fully supports the Simclar workers in their campaign. Companies such as Simclar must be held to account for their disgraceful actions in the treatment of their employees. Companies, such as Simclar, which campaign for less red tape, lower regulation and lower taxes, should not be able to transfer the burden of redundancies to the taxpayer.”

Willie Paterson said:

‘This march and rally will highlight that the Simclar employees have are determined that they will force Sam Russell and the Simclar Executives to be held to account for the disgraceful way he has treated them and dumping his responsibilities on to the taxpayer. Sam Russell has tried to say that this is nothing to with him and it is the fault of globalisation, yet he has refused to meet with the workforce and the Union because he is afraid that his excuses won’t wash.

‘The Simclar workforce was loyal, hardworking and efficient – they knew that they were competing with developing countries and did all they could to ensure that the company was successful. However Sam Russell and his fellow directors have shown no loyalty and commitment to them in return. He has attempted to wash his hands of them and pretend that he has done nothing wrong. The Simclar employees have behaved with strength and dignity since Sam Russell attempted to dump them on the scrap-heap. It is a pity he hasn’t been able to emulate them.’

ENDS

For further information contact John Park 07974 793 187