Blind and disabled staff 'thrilled' as rethink spares threatened factory

A CHARITY that provides employment to blind and disabled people has been saved from closure after staff agreed to a cut in working hours.

BlindCraft's factory in Edinburgh was due to shut after the city council said that it could no longer afford to subsidise the operation.

The local authority said closure would save 700,000 per year but at an Edinburgh City Council meeting yesterday parties on all sides agreed a new proposal, devised by the Community union, which represents many Blindcraft workers.

It will mean staff, who make beds at the factory in Craigmillar, working a three-day week.

BlindCraft employee David Anderson, who suffers from cerebellar ataxia, has been at the company for nearly 14 years.

He said: "I'm absolutely thrilled. This means everything to me. It means I don't have to go cap in hand to the benefits office. I can actually go out and pay for things with money that I feel I have earned. That's invaluable to me and I know it is to at least 99 per cent of the people who work for BlindCraft."

The 44-year-old from Penicuik, who is also a representative for Community, added: "Although we will be on reduced hours, it is the best option that could come out of the meeting. It is a big relief."

It is understood the council's U-turn came after the SNP side of the administration indicated it was unhappy with the plan to close the factory when there was an alternative proposal which could save 650,000 of the 700,000 that the administration wanted to save.

SNP group leader and deputy council leader Steve Cardownie said: "While there was a chink of light, it seemed foolish to extinguish that. These are some of the most vulnerable members of the community and we want to do all we can to help them make a contribution."

The Community union previously said moving to a three-day week could save more than the required 700,000, as well as allowing time to find a longer-term solution.

Another BlindCraft employee of nearly 14 years, Stephen Reilly, also welcomed the move.

The 48-year-old from Prestonpans, who had a heart transplant in 1997, said: "I'm delighted that the council is going to give us a chance to get ourselves sorted out. Hopefully we can get the support from the council to take us forward and ensure that the three-day week works and nobody is losing financially."

Students Hannah Lister and Janis McCulloch gathered more than 1,000 signatures for a petition supporting the BlindCraft workers.

Ms Lister said: "It's a really good outcome compared to the last time we were here, coming away thinking everybody was going to lose their jobs.

"This gives BlindCraft workers time to get organised so it can get some marketing help so that more people know about the business.The public have really backed us and shown the council they got it wrong.

"If there are any businesses that can help move Blindcraft forward, please get in touch."