LOCAL councillors are demanding face-to-face meetings with liquidators to thrash out a way forward for staff at Mortons Rolls after workers were issued with redundancy notices.
Drumchapel and Anniesland Labour politicians Paul Carey and Patricia Ferguson have urged those handling matters to provide clarity to employees who have been left distraught by the news that their employment has been terminated - just days after the firm teased on social media that it was set to be saved.
The Glasgow Times understands that a group of investors are working with liquidators to clinch a deal that could potentially see the majority of the 250 staff reinstated in the short term.
Councillor Carey said: “Folk deserve to know what’s going on and if their employment can be saved. To keep workers in the dark like this is just not on.
“I’m hearing from people who are distraught at being made redundant and are now having to access Universal Credit to survive. There must be clarity and a clear message to workers who are worried sick and unable to pay their bills."
Councillor Ferguson added: “We need to get around the table with investors and liquidators and find out what the plan is to save these jobs. Right now, there’s been pretty much no communication with employees and that’s just not right.
“We need to know that absolutely everything is being done to keep people in work and give them the assurances they deserve.”
We previously told how Mortons Rolls ceased operations after 58 years earlier this month after the firm collapsed into liquidation leaving jobs hanging in the balance.
It’s understood that redundancy notices began to be issued to staff on Monday night after a provisional liquidator was appointed on Friday.
READ MORE: Cafe owner bakes his own rolls to stay afloat after Mortons collapse
Politicians, including Glasgow Labour MSP Paul Sweeney and SNP MSP for Anniesland Bill Kidd, have been among those to call for the Government to step in and help to save the Drumchapel-based bakery.
Mr Kidd exclusively told the Glasgow Times today that a group of local business people are working to try and formulate a plan to salvage the firm.
He said: “A group of Glasgow business people are working hard on investment to take on Mortons Rolls as soon as possible. The Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise are working to make this happen and save the jobs. I’m very hopeful that these vital local jobs can still be saved - and work is ongoing to make this happen.”
Mr Sweeney described the situation facing workers as 'dreadful' but says 'there is still hope' production can restart.
He added: "It is incredibly difficult, and I know that the workforce and local community will be hurting. At the heart of this are workers and families who have been left in the dark with no contact from management and in some instances they are missing pay or pension contributions. That is utterly intolerable, and unacceptable - it must be rectified.
“The liquidator in this case has a duty to engage with the workforce and to advise them on what recourse they have regarding redundancy, pay and pensions. I would also encourage any worker affected by this to contact PACE who will assist them with getting support.
“However, I don’t think all is lost here. For the past 10 days, I have been in constant contact with the investors looking to restart production at Mortons. I am hopeful that there will be an announcement in the coming days that reinstates much of the workforce in the short term.
"Longer term support will be needed and commitments have been made by the Government to do everything possible to ensure Mortons is able to be preserved. We will hold them to account for those comments as their support will be crucial to ensuring the long-term viability of this business.”
READ MORE: Glasgow councillors ask Mortons Rolls owners for transparency
For the year to the end of March 2021, the company reported a loss of £262,000 on a turnover of more than £11.8m.
Mortons Rolls has been approached by the Glasgow Times for comment but our calls and emails to the company have so far gone unanswered.
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