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THE Glasgow Times has been inundated with calls and messages from concerned readers who fear the city’s workers are being put at risk by irresponsible employers.

When Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the country on Monday night, he told people to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and ordered many businesses to close.

There are exceptions to the new rules and those companies allowed to continue operating must follow safety guidelines.

Glasgow South MP Stewart McDonald has promised to “name and shame” any company ignoring the advice on essential work.

“I’ve had a worrying amount of communication with constituents whose bosses continue to force them to come to work, and do jobs that should not constitute as ‘key work’.

“Given the change of direction we’ve seen from companies that were called out, like Sports Direct, it’s clear such action can have an impact. And only then can we be confident that businesses are doing their bit to ensure public health is protected to the fullest extent it can be. People’s health always comes before profit.”

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We put the concerns of staff and the public to businesses who continued to operate after the Prime Minister’s announcement.

1. McAlpine & Co

MCALPINE & Co, a plumbing production company, is also continuing to operate claiming its employees are “key workers” which help keep medical facilities running.

Concern has been raised that the 750 employees, many based at Floors Street, Johnstone, are being put at risk by not obeying the two-metre distance rule.

Staff have been told that they have essential roles to fulfil.

An online from statement from McAlpine says: “Some of our production is important, for example the goods we provide to repairs, maintenance and building of medical facilities such as hospitals.

“As long as we can, we aim to keep such essential supplies moving with all the proper sanitation and social distancing rules in force. We will continue to review all our practices as guidelines and information change but as a company, our trade will suffer.

“However, we also recognise the very real concerns that many have about coming to work.

“That is why we have agreed our factory workforce can, should they agree, immediately move to ‘Furlough’ under the UK Government scheme.

“That way, 80% of their contracted pay can be met (assuming we meet the scheme’s criteria) and we can continue paying wages.”

Unite the Union has been informed that many of these workers are having to use public transport.

Unite has also warned the government over the lack of personal protective equipment and that workers are often only inches away from each other.

2. Diageo

UNION reps are calling on Diageo to halt production at its bottling and distilling operations across Scotland, including at Shieldhall.

The company, whose brands include Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker and Gordon’s gin, is adhering to social distancing measures, but there are worries about workplace safety and rising stress levels.

The reps are concerned over the communal use of canteens and toilets used by up to 200 workers.

Bob MacGregor, a Unite officer, said: “We fully understand the food and drink sector are essential services but if the safety concerns can’t be addressed then production must stop. Safety must come first.

“The reality is that hundreds of people are working beside each other for hours a day, and then travelling home often on public transport to their families.”

Diageo said it would never ask employees to work in an unsafe environment, adding: “Nor would we operate any site unless it is responsible and appropriate to do so.”

A spokesman said: “We have stringent safety protocols in place across sites, including heightened sanitation measures, restriction of movement to and from our sites and all employees who can work from home are doing so.”

The spokesman said the company has scaled back or stopped production in many areas, adding: “The health and well-being of our employees remains our number one priority.”

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3. QUIZ

THE distribution centre for fashion company QUIZ in Bellshill had been open this week.

This led to concerns for the safety of workers in the centre as the coronavirus pandemic spreads.

However, late on Friday afternoon, the business announced on the London Stock Exchange that the centre would close.

“The board has now taken the decision to temporarily close its online operations until further notice,” the statement said. “QUIZ’s websites will temporarily close from later today, with the distribution centre closing within the next 24 hours.”

All of the company’s stores were closed last Saturday.

4. Tesco Bank

CONCERNS have been raised about the payment of agency staff at Tesco Bank’s Glasgow offices.

An angry worker told the Glasgow Times how full-time staff would receive full basic pay and a 10 per cent pay rise but agency staff, despite being “key”, would not get the same money.

“Permanent and agency staff are doing the same job and risking their lives equally,” they said.

A Tesco Bank spokesman said key workers using the offices were unable to work from home and social distancing was enforced. But he confirmed agency workers would be ineligible for the pay rise.

“Covid-19 has resulted in unprecedented demand from our customers, many of whom require financial help at this time. The response from our customer service colleagues to deliver this critical service has been incredible. In recognition of their effort, we announced a 10 per cent bonus on the hourly rate for these colleagues. This was part of a wider award made across Tesco to say thank you to our front-line colleagues.

“This is only available to direct employees which means that agency workers, who we do not pay directly, are not eligible.”

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5. Scottish Power

BUILDING sites have been criticised for remaining open.

We were contacted by a member of the public who said work which wasn’t critical was being carried out by Scottish Power at Charlotte Street substation.

“Most employees are self-employed and continue to come in as they are worried about their jobs and the implications,” they said.

But a Scottish Power spokesman said staff were working on an “important project” which supports much of the East End.

He said staff were only making the site safe so it could be left until work is able to resume. The site is now closed. The spokesman also said they were working to government safety guidelines.

6. HarperCollins

GLASWEGIANS have been questioning why the HarperCollins book distribution centre at Bishopbriggs is still open.

But a spokesman for the firm said it was operating following advice directly from the UK Government.

“We have had contact with the Scottish Government and our local MP,” they said. “They have reassured us that as a distributor of books and educational resources and with the appropriate health and well-being measures in place, we should continue to operate from our warehouse.

“While we closely continue to monitor the situation and any change to official advice, our warehouse remains open.”

Temperature testing is being carried out at the site gates, social distancing is being followed and hygiene regimes have been enhanced.

This article is part of a series READ MORE: The Glasgow firms 'putting staff at risk' despite coronavirus fears