Jobs protected as glass factory sold

Pilkington UK has sold its AG (Barnsley) and Cumbernauld businesses to the Glass Systems Group for an undisclosed sum. The sale also includes the Pilkington Cervoglass roof unit business.

News of the sale prompted an angry response from the general trade union GMB, which said workers were not consulted, and it wanted reassurances from the Scottish government that jobs would be protected.

“Scottish manufacturing jobs have taken a hammering over many decades now and we fear this sale makes another plant vulnerable,” Benny Rankin, GMB Scotland organiser, said.

“We are demanding urgent talks with Glass Systems and we will be making sure our members’ rights are fully respected by the incoming company.”

Pilkington was quick to defend the sale of the business and reassured workers that jobs would be protected.

In a statement, Matt Buckley, Pilkington UK’s managing director, said: “242 Pilkington employees across the two sites will be directly affected by this sale. As part of the agreement, the employment of all 242 will be transferred via Tupe to Glass Systems North on 31 March 2017. 

“All parties were briefed on Friday [March 17].

“We have worked closely with Glass Systems during this process to ensure all jobs will be retained. There are no plans to move any jobs away from the Cumbernauld site, or indeed the Barnsley site.”

Caption

Matt Buckley, Pilkington UK’s managing director.