| The Rev Erik Cramb, chairman of the NCR Rapid Response Group, said today despite the cash being available immediately, legislation prevents them from spending it until a 90-day consultation period ends.
“Our objective is to get people facing redundancy into alternative employment or training as quickly as possible and we are ready to move as soon as we are free to do so,” said Mr Cramb.
The group secured £1.5 million of government cash on February 7 to help the 650 affected staff get back on their feet. But they will have to wait until the end of the statutory 90-day consultation period that began when NCR swung the axe on the Wester Gourdie plant on January 11.
“There is a formal 90-day consultation period and consultations are still in progress between the management and unions at NCR,” said Mr Cramb. “We must await the outcome and do nothing to impede these consultations. We are ready to act as soon as we receive the go-ahead.”
As yet, no one at the factory has been issued with a redundancy notice.
The former industrial chaplain said the detailed action plan is ready to be implemented.
The first stage will include a series of briefing sessions for NCR people managers and trade union shop stewards.
A resource centre staffed by members of the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment team will also be set up at the Wester Gourdie factory.
The Rapid Response Group will also be collating information about the impact on local suppliers to NCR so that they are in a position to provide support as and when necessary. |
