Rescue hopes result in BlindCraft jobs appeal

UNION leaders have appealed to council chiefs to keep workers at BlindCraft in a job until a rescue deal can be arranged.

Many staff at the Craigmillar bed-making factory face the prospect of never working again if the sheltered workshop closes permanently, but hopes that it could open again under new management were raised earlier this month when city economic development leader Councillor Tom Buchanan said he had received approaches from two businesses interested in taking it over.

Now the Community union, which represents the majority of the workforce, is urging the council to keep on the employees, many of whom are blind or disabled, until an agreement can be reached.

The council is closing the BlindCraft factory, which dates back more than 200 years, as part of its bid to cut costs. A compromise plan to move to a three-day week fell through when staff voted against it. It is understood around 24 staff have expressed an interest in voluntary severance, but that leaves around 30 workers who want to stay on.

Joe Mann, Community's deputy general secretary, came to Edinburgh for talks with Cllr Buchanan about BlindCraft earlier this week.

John Paul McHugh, the union's Scottish officer, said the council did seem to be trying to find alternatives so the factory could continue in some form.

He said: "What we have said is, if some people want to go, let them go, but the others who want to stay should be allowed to stay and the council could demonstrate its commitment by keeping them in employment until the new company comes on stream.

"If there is a serious player, someone who wants to rejuvenate the business or take it in another direction and employ these people, the basic commitment the council could give is to keep them on."

Cllr Buchanan said in addition to the approaches received, the council had been trying to generate interest in BlindCraft in the voluntary sector.

He said any potential new management had made clear the factory would have to close and then reopen so the new owners were not bound by pension arrangements and existing terms and conditions.

He said: "I have made a commitment to do the best we can to find sustainable, meaningful employment for those in BlindCraft and I will continue with that commitment.

"The council is also committed to ensuring people get as much information as they need to make relevant decisions."

He added that he could not commit to keeping staff on without examining the implications. Cllr Buchanan said the 90-day notice period would start from April 28.