Workers
at Levi Strauss’s two Scottish plants have accepted a severance package
"second to none" in the textile industry, according to the GMB union.
The
production centres at Dundee and at Bellshill in Lanarkshire are to close next
month due to economic pressures.
GMB
Scotland senior organiser in the clothing and textile section, Ian King, said
the union had fought to keep the plants open, but a report produced by
Professor Robert van der Meer, of Strathclyde University’s Business School, had
made it plain that this was not feasible.
Professor
van der Meer said currency exchange rates were the deciding factor in the
decision to close the factories – not poor workforce performance.
King
said: "The agreement is the same for workers at both plants. We have been
able to negotiate a significant package for our members."
He
said Levi’s has ordered a payout substantially higher than is required by law.
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"It
is a really good deal and we expect some members to receive more than
£30,000," he said. "Talks have reached a satisfactory conclusion and
we have secured a severance pay deal second to none in the clothing and textile
industry in Scotland."
"All
our energies were devoted to getting the best deal possible for our
members."
