NEC jobs at Livingston hang in the balance

Published on Tuesday 28 May 2002 01:00

NEC was adamant last night that no jobs are under threat at its computer plant in Livingston, as a sea of rumours and accusations engulfed the factory and its workforce.

Reports that up to 450 jobs are to be axed by NEC as it transfers production of certain lines overseas prompted outrage from all sides yesterday.

And around 160 jobs remain in the balance as NEC mulls the future of its computer-making plant in Livingston.

NEC also employs about 200 staff at its semiconductor plant at Livingston, where it axed 1,260 jobs before Christmas.

Emmanuelle Bureau-Du-Colombier, a manager at NEC Computers International, told The Scotsman last night that the situation was "no big deal".

She added: "The transfer of notebook production started last year and we have had no job losses in that time."

"At this stage there is no threat of job losses when this transfer is complete."

But super-union AMICUS said it remained unconvinced about the long-term job prospects of the plant’s workforce.

Danny Carrigan, regional secretary of union Amicus, said: "There is still a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the plant, and we've asked for a meeting in the next day or so with NEC."

Carrigan said unions have as yet been unable to speak to high-level management at NEC, but added: "What we’ve taken from what they’ve said is that they’re still looking to follow the trend of companies like Marconi and Ericsson, who have subcontracted their manufacturing. So at this stage we’re ruling nothing out and nothing in."

NEC could not confirm whether jobs will go at the plant if the company decides to outsource its manufacturing operation to a third party, a possibility still being explored by management.

Enterprise minister Iain Gray spent part of yesterday in talks with NEC, and yesterday evening Scottish Executive gave an upbeat assessment of the outlook for the 155 workers at the computer-making facility.

An Executive spokeswoman said: "There is no suggestion from NEC of job redundancies at present among the workforce at Livingston."

The Executive added: "The minister [for enterprise, transport and lifelong learning, Iain Gray] has spoken to Michael Fromont, vice president international and general manager Europe and Asia Pacific, this afternoon.

"Mr Fromont confirmed that the manufacturing of desktops will remain in Scotland. The production of notebooks will transfer to China, but the Livingston site does not manufacture this product and the site will not be affected by this decision."

Scottish Development International, the trade body operated jointly by Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise, will maintain close contact with NEC as the fate of the plant becomes clearer.

The muddle stems from an abrupt and vague statement issued yesterday by NEC, as part of its review of operations in Europe.

The statement said: "As far as our facility in Livingston is concerned, NEC plans to keep capacity but is assessing the viability of maintaining in house or transferring the Livingston operation to an OEM [original equipment] manufacturer."