Disabled workers weep as firm folds after 146 years

Glencraft heads for administration with the loss of 52 jobs

By Calum Ross

Published:

UPSET: Glencraft board chairman Ed Gillespie said it was a sad day for the firm.

JOBLESS: Mark Jamieson, left, and Leslie Laird. Raymond Besant

Workers broke down in tears yesterday as an Aberdeen firm which has provided jobs for blind and disabled people for almost 150 years headed for administration.

Glencraft – founded in 1863 as the Royal Aberdeen Workshop for the Blind and Disabled – will close down next week with the loss of 52 jobs, including those of 31 people with disabilities.

First Minister Alex Salmond was dragged into the row over the factory’s demise last night, with Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray claiming it was “disgraceful” he had not visited Glencraft despite repeated requests.

But a glimmer of hope emerged for the workers last night when a spokesman for the first minister said social enterprise leaders were investigating the possibility of taking over parts of the business.

And the Press and Journal understands two private firms are interested in employing Glencraft’s staff, who were left visibly shaken and fearing for their futures after hearing news of the closure.

Mark Jamieson, of Scurdie Ness in Altens, worked as a labourer for the local authority until his 19th birthday, when he ruptured his liver and broke his leg in three places in a car crash.

Now 45 and still affected by his injuries, he was in no doubt who was to blame for the closure of Glencraft, where he had worked for almost 24 years.

“I’m just gutted with the decision the council has made today,” he said.

“I thought there would have been some kind of funding to help us out, at least for a year or two to keep us on our feet.

“I don’t know what I’ll do now. I’ll try my best to get a job but it’s not easy in a recession and half the folk here won’t get a job.”

Yesterday’s announcement brought to an end almost two years of uncertainty at the Wellington Road furniture factory, following the withdrawal of its £470,000 Aberdeen City Council subsidy.

Fighting back tears, Glencraft board chairman Ed Gillespie, who resigned in protest at the council’s handling of its problems yesterday, said it was a sad day for the organisation.

“It’s sadder still for the 52 people who work here, 31 of whom are in some way disabled,” he said.

“Some of them I sadly think will not work again and some of them will spiral down into illness as a result of this decision we have had to take.”

Visually-impaired worker Andrew Laing, branch secretary for the Community trade union at Glencraft, launched an emotional attack on Mr Salmond, who he said had failed to arrange a visit to the factory despite repeated requests over a six-month period.

“He can worm his way out of it whatever way he wants, but I know and the people around here know he has ignored our plight,” Mr Laing said.

“He has got a lot to answer for and I hope he can sleep tonight because a lot of the workers around here won’t sleep tonight.”

Mr Gray said: “Glencraft have been asking for six months to meet the first minister but the plight of disabled workers is obviously not high on his agenda.

“It is disgraceful the way Alex Salmond has not kept his promise to visit Glencraft.”

A spokesman for Mr Salmond said the first minister had met Glencraft’s site co-ordinator at the STUC conference in April, where they discussed its financial difficulties. He added: “Aberdeen City Council and Glencraft have been in negotiation for some 18 months attempting to secure a future for the workshop.

“Despite attempts from all of those involved, the business has continued to run at a loss and it has now entered receivership, which is very disappointing.

“The first minister knows that local social enterprise leaders are looking at the possibility of taking forward certain aspects of the business.

“Mr Salmond has today instructed Scottish Government third sector officials to become involved in these discussions to see what can be done to help, and they have contacted Glencraft.”

The leader of Aberdeen City Council’s opposition Labour group, Barney Crockett, will act as temporary chairman of Glencraft’s board while the charity goes to the Court of Session to appoint an administrator next week.

He blamed the local authority’s Liberal Democrat-SNP administration for what he viewed as a deliberate attempt to try to shut the factory down.

“Over the last year it has been obvious that the council has been trying to bring down Glencraft,” he said.

“My view is that the politicians decided that they wanted Glencraft to close and that they were looking for an excuse for that.

“I think it’s a lasting disgrace for the city.”

Former council leader Kate Dean, now the local authority’s enterprise, planning and infrastructure convener, said the council had spent £7million on Glencraft since 2001.

“If the council had been trying to find ways to close Glencraft it would not have spent £1.7million of public money to buy their building to release cash-flow to its organisation,” she said.

“The council has done everything possible to help Glencraft become a sustainable business.

“The important thing for me is the employees and we will be trying everything we can to assist them in finding jobs.”