Blindcraft workers ask Alex Salmond to halt closure

Employees have been sent letters confirming the sheltered workshop for blind and disabled people, which dates back to 1793, will shut on July 31.

But Fraser Queen, branch organiser for the Community union who has worked at Blindcraft for 23 years, said: "It would be nice if Alex Salmond could make it the first act of his new term as First Minister to intervene, even at this late stage, and save the factory or at least give some hope to the workers."

The city council decided in February to shut Blindcraft to save 700,000 a year.

The following month, city economic development leader Councillor Tom Buchanan said he had received approaches from two businesses interested in taking over the Craigmillar bed factory, but only once it had shut down, so the new owners were not bound by current agreements on pay and conditions.

However, Mr Queen said there was no guarantee such expressions of interest would turn into reality and translate into jobs.

He appealed to Mr Salmond to intervene as he had with a similar workshop, Glencraft, in Aberdeen.

It was rescued after private company PNS, backed by the Scottish Government, invested 380,000 to relaunch it as a social enterprise.

Mr Queen said: "Closure of Blindcraft means a lifetime on benefits for the majority of people - unless Mr Salmond has some sort of plan in line with what he did for Glencraft in Aberdeen.

"Even if it's too late to save Blindcraft, if something could be put in place for the future to give employment to people with disabilities that would help future generations."

Eighteen staff have taken voluntary severance, leaving 34 who face redundancy unless they can be redeployed elsewhere within the council.

Employees have been told they will have to turn up for their contracted 36 or 37 hours a week until July 31.

Mr Queen said: "They will be expected to spend their time looking for jobs that are not there.

"We cannot even get interviews, never mind employment. I've applied for about 16 jobs and most don't even reply - and that's without disclosing your disability. Just imagine what it will be like once they find out you're disabled."

Mr Buchanan said: "There are people who have indicated an interest privately and on condition the council will have dealt with the financial issues. We are advertising to see if there is any further interest. We are looking at options.

"The decision has been made by the council about what is happening here and that won't change."We realise it's a difficult decision, but it has been bleeding hundreds of thousands of pounds and it can't go on."

An SNP spokesman said: "The re-elected SNP Government will be happy to look at any proposals for the future of the Blindcraft factory and its staff."