Jamie Hepburn MSP is urging the makers of Irn Bru to retain their workforce at their Cumbernauld based site following the official announcement of the merger between AG Barr and Britvic.
Mr Hepburn, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, who raised the matter at First Minister’s Questions today, has written to the Chief Executive of AG Barr, Roger White, on previous occasions about this issue, and has once again written to Mr White about the employment future of the AG Barr workforce in Cumbernauld.
In previous correspondence Mr White informed Mr Hepburn that a direct answer could not be given about the future about the workforce as the merger was not yet finalised. However, now that the merger with Britvic has been finalised Mr Hepburn believes it is now the time for clarity over jobs at the Cumbernauld site.
It has been reported that as a result of the merger there could be 500 jobs lost.
Mr Hepburn said:
“It is imperative that the new Barr Britvic Soft Drinks plc, considering its position as a significant employer in the Cumbernauld area, now offer clarity and definitive answers regarding the future of the workforce at the Cumbernauld based site.
“It would be extremely disappointing not only for the employees of AG Barr in Cumbernauld but for the wider community if there was to be significant job losses at the site. The ramifications of such a decision would have wide reaching implications for the area, something which I sincerely hope AG Barr and Mr White keep in mind when making any decision regarding the future of the site.
“The employees of AG Barr in Cumbernauld have been and remain an invaluable asset, and Barr Britvic should be doing their utmost to retain such an important workforce.
“I would urge Barr Britvic Soft Drinks to fully consider the very real potential that the Cumbernauld site and workforce has for the future of the newly merged company, and ensure that they consider retaining the site as is currently operational.”
