A group of north-east bypass workers have been left shocked after being abruptly laid off, just months before Christmas – despite being promised work for another year.
Fifteen articulated dump truck (ADT) drivers were told on Tuesday they will no longer be required at the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route fastlink site in Stonehaven.
The men lost their jobs, despite initially being informed their contracts on the massive bypass project would last until the end of 2017.
All 15 were hired to work on the venture – which is being delivered by Aberdeen Roads Limited – six months ago.
It is believed the crew were fired, because there is less need for plant machinery at the site in the coming months.
Speaking yesterday one worker – who did not wish to be named – said they might struggle to find work elsewhere in the run up to winter, with many colleagues tied in to mortgages.
He added all the workers being laid off were local to the north-east.
He said: “We are working on the bypass. There weren’t many Aberdeen people actually working on the bypass, and we have been laid off. They just said they have got no choice because of the numbers on the trucks.
“We got told today we are getting paid off on Friday. We are basically out of a job near Christmas and want to know why we have all been paid off.
“We got told we would be working until the end of next year. I really want to know why they have done it. They were planning on leaving it until Monday to tell us.
“We are out of a job until we find something. We have all got houses to pay for, we all thought our jobs were paid for.
“They have done the wrong thing, they should tell you well in advance.”
Last night, a Transport Scotland spokeswoman responded: “Due to the size, scale and complexities of a project of this type, the numbers of plant and operatives regularly fluctuates, depending on the season, tasks and activities required to be carried out at any given time.
“The AWPR/B-T (Balmedie to Tipperty) contractor is currently entering its winter operations phase which will see less earthwork activities undertaken and an increase in structures.
“This will result in a consequential reduction of earthmoving and associated equipment and drivers.”
The fastlink section of the AWPR will run for seven miles from the start of the new route in Stonehaven to Cleanhill, near Maryculter.
