Axed Simclar staff stage HQ demo

The Community union is campaigning on behalf of workers

Workers sacked by a manufacturing firm are staging a protest outside the company's headquarters.

Simclar announced last week the closure of two of its plants in Irvine and Kilwinning in Ayrshire with the loss of about 420 jobs.

About 60 former workers began picketing the company HQ in Pitreavie Business Park, Dunfermline, at 0600 GMT.

Former employee Robert Ferguson, 52, who had 20 years service, said: "We are angry about how we have been treated."

Willie Paterson of Community, the union representing the workforce, said the demonstration was a protest against the company directors.

He said: "Our members are disgusted at how Sam Russell, chairman of Simclar Group, is trying to dodge his responsibility to them."

Mr Paterson claimed the firm had failed to provide Simclar workers with proper consultation and redundancy pay.

Management denial

On Friday, staff stormed the Kilwinning site in protest at their treatment by the company.

They have since staged demonstrations outside the Irvine plant.

Simclar has also been accused of stripping assets from its Ayrshire sites and transferring them to the multi-national parent company, Simclar Group Ltd.

Deputy enterprise minister Allan Wilson has called for an official investigation into circumstances surrounding the closures.

Simclar blamed the job losses on pressure from low-cost economies, falling orders and uncertainty within the Scottish manufacturing industry.

Management reacted angrily to claims that the company had been involved in improper conduct.

Mr Russell said the firm's handling of the situation would be vindicated during the administration process and any other investigation.

Axed staff are to visit the Scottish Parliament on Thursday to thank ministers for their support.