Online giant Amazon has announced plans to shut down key sites in Scotland. Hundreds of jobs are at risk.
The company has begun talks to close its fulfillment center in Glock near Greenock, Inverclyde.
The move, which also affects centers in Hemel Hempstead and Doncaster in the UK, will affect around 1,200 jobs, including around 300 workers based in Glock.
Amazon has already said it will offer all employees in affected locations a role elsewhere within the company.
But Scottish West Labor MP Katie Clarke said it was “horrifying to see Amazon announce that it intends to solidify its policy after 19 years in the field.”
She added:
“These workers have bravely supported their households and provided the essentials during the pandemic and holiday periods.
“The Scottish government needs to intervene as a matter of urgency to help get these workers back into employment.”
Clark also claimed that online retailers demanded “full transparency” about the amounts they were given by the Scottish government.
she said:
“Today, companies that have benefited from millions of dollars in public funding have risen and are leaving communities that have served them well.
“We want full transparency as to how much funding has been provided to Amazon, for what purposes and what terms have been attached to these funds.”
Neil Bibby, also a Labor MSP, described the planned closure of the Gourock site as “catastrophic.”
Bibby, who is also representing the West of Scotland Region, added: Hammerblow after Christmas.
“The Scottish government should do everything possible to minimize the impact of these job losses and help people get back to work.”
A Scottish government spokesperson said: ‘We are very disappointed to learn of the announcement made today by Amazon to discuss the closure of its fulfillment center in Gourock.
“This will be a difficult time for our staff, their families and the affected communities.”
Corporate agency Scottish Enterprises is “in active discussions with the company to better understand the issues,” the spokesperson added in regards to its decision.
A spokesperson said:
“Our Pace team has already reached out to the company to provide Pace support in the event of an unfortunate event.”
An Amazon spokesperson said the company “constantly evaluates the network to ensure it meets our business needs and to improve the experience for our employees and customers.”
He added:
“We also plan to open two new fulfillment centers and create 2,500 new jobs over the next three years.
“All employees affected by the site closure discussions will be offered the opportunity to be transferred to other facilities as we continue to serve our customers, employees and communities across the UK.”
But GMB union organizer Steve Garelick branded the announcement “a real blow to the teeth of Amazon staff who have been working on the ground during the carnival.”
he said:
“Local workers may not be in a position to play a role far from where they live.”
