A union has accused a major manufacturing company of having “Victorian” working practices and behaving in a “callous” way towards staff.
The accusation follows Simclar Group‘s announcement that it was cutting 420 jobs and closing its two Ayrshire factories in Scotland without prior warning.
Community union said workers had arrived at the factory to find the gates padlocked, BBC News reports.
Scottish regional secretary Willie Paterson said: “In this day and age, there is absolutely no excuse for treating a high-skilled, highly motivated and loyal workforce so callously. Simclar management have acted more like Victorian mill owners than responsible, 21st century business people.”
A spokesman for Simclar, which has more than 2,000 employees worldwide, said: “The current market conditions have made the continued operation of Simclar (Ayrshire) impossible.
“Simclar has made every attempt to restructure and save the business but it would not be in the best interests of the group as a whole to continue to do so in the long-term.
“The company will work with the local enterprise and employment agencies to offer information and support to those affected by this closure in their search for new employment.”
Community union said it would try to ensure its members received the pay they were owed.
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