Nearly 300 jobs have been axed by two firms in a double blow ahead of Christmas.
Diesel engine company Cummins has announced plans to close its Cumbernauld factory, risking up to 100 jobs.
Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes said she is “dismayed and disappointed” by the development, which has been on the cards since October.
Management started a consultation process, alongside the Scottish Government and trade unions, two months ago about the future of the factory, which refits diesel engines for use in the industrial and transport sectors.
The minister also said she had personally urged management at the firm to look for alternatives to closure.
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Ms Forbes said: “I know that this news has come as a bitter blow to the Cummins workforce and their families, particularly so close to Christmas.
“Since the initial announcement, I have been pressing the Cummins management to consider alternative options to closure and requested an extension to the consultation period in order for these proposals to be further explored, which could potentially allow the site to remain open and jobs to be retained.
“I have expressed my dismay and disappointment to the Cummins management team at their decision to close the site instead.
“Our focus is now on supporting those workers affected by redundancy, through our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment initiative.” Meanwhile, nearly 200 jobs have been cut at a manufacturing firm in Dundee.
The agency staff at Dover Fueling Solutions were told they would lose their jobs on Monday.
One of those affected, who did not want to be named, said around 180 posts have gone and workers are “devastated”.
He said he is now worried about how his family will cope, adding the invitation to the meeting about the lay-offs included a picture of Santa. The worker, who lives in Dundee, has been at the company for almost two years but will now be out of a job on Friday.
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He said: “I want people to know how unfairly we’ve been treated. There wasn’t even a proper apology from management or team leaders, which would have went a long way.”
Bob Macgregor, Unite union regional official for Tayside, said staff are employed through agency EN Recruitment.
He said: “Obviously people are upset. It’s close to Christmas, nobody wants to lose their job at this time of year, but I think the company are trying to protect the permanent employees.”
A Dover Fueling Solutions spokeswoman said: “Based on the cyclical nature of our business, we don’t comment on any temporary employment. “Our orders are within the strategic lines of our business. We we do have growth year-on-year.” EN Recruitment declined to comment.
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