Union says there is hope for meat plant

Union bosses representing hundreds of workers at the closure-threatened Hall’s of Broxburn believe the meat processing plant can be saved, despite the owners turning down a Scottish Government rescue plan.

Officials at the Union of Shop, Distribution and Allied Workers’ (Usdaw) last night said they believed there was “still hope” for the plant.

Dutch-owned Vion Food UK announced in July that it is consulting on the future of its factory, putting about 1,700 jobs at risk. The 90-day consultation closes in less than three weeks.

The Scottish Government revealed that its taskforce set up to try to save the plant was willing to buy the West Lothian factory and lease it back to the parent company. Vion rejected the offer, saying the losses were too much.