By Stefan Morkis and Graham Huband

THE 650 WORKERS being made redundant by NCR have had more salt rubbed in their wounds after it emerged that their work helped to boost the company’s profits in the last quarter of 2006.

NCR made a profit of £88 million ($174 million) in the last three months of the year—up 16% from the same quarter in 2005.

Chief executive Bill Nuti, who told the Dundee workforce about the impending redundancies in a pre-recorded video message, was delighted with the results.

He said, “NCR produced one of its best quarters in recent history, demonstrating the success of the initiatives we have undertaken during the last year to leverage our leadership positions in the self-service and data warehousing markets, improve operational performance and reduce costs.”

Dundee West MP Jim McGovern said yesterday, “The announcement just heightens the disappointment felt by all those involved.

“NCR made a profit of $174 million and much of that was on the basis of the hard work of those Dundee staff who are now facing redundancy.

“As we witness these large profits, all I can do is express my disappointment that a company with this level of profitability is making 650 people redundant whilst also praising the staff, both those being made redundant and those remaining, for their dedication and hard work which have led to these profits,” Mr McGovern added.

“When I met the NCR management after the redundancies were announced I pressed them over the issue of profitability.

“In fairness they never tried to claim the shutting of the Dundee factory was a profit issue but merely because they could get lower costs overseas.

“If ever there was a doubt about that, today has dispelled it.”

Gillian McKay, regional officer for the Amicus union, added, “NCR’s quarterly profits to December are an astonishing $174 million, or £88 million, and the company’s loyal workforce in Dundee have helped them to earn these massive profits.

“Amicus and the Dundee staff are vindicated in their view that NCR’s only motivation in switching production to Hungary and closing its Scottish plant is to add to their already huge profits.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Blair has pledged to support moves to bring more high-quality jobs to Dundee to offset the impact of job cuts across the city’s manufacturing sector.

Mr Blair met Mr McGovern at his parliamentary office on Wednesday. He agreed to the meeting after being questioned by Mr McGovern about NCR last week.

Mr McGovern said he had discussed the NCR situation and other recent redundancies at Tesco and Wood Group with the Prime Minister and had left the meeting in an upbeat mood.

Mr McGovern said the Prime Minister had agreed with his view that it was important the Government and the Scottish Executive worked together to provide high-quality jobs for Dundee in the long term.

He said, “The Prime Minister was very helpful indeed.

“He offered to put at our disposal members of his staff to ensure that every route that could help Dundee is fully pursued.

“The Prime Minister was keen to talk up what the Scottish Executive had been doing in Dundee already, a point I was happy to echo.

“He pointed out that much of the support provided to Dundee would be focused through the Scottish Executive but he would guarantee that any support asked of central government by the Executive would be met,” Mr McGovern added

Jim Murphy, minister of state at the Department of Work and Pensions, is to visit Dundee today to further discuss what help the DWP can offer to the rapid reaction team formed in response to the job losses.

Mr McGovern said an informal talk had led to a further meeting about the situation with Ian McCartney, the minister of state for trade, investment and foreign affairs.

He said, “It is good news that Jim Murphy will be in Dundee on Friday. Once again this shows the real commitment of this Government, on both sides of the border, to help the people of Dundee.

“Both the Government and the Executive recognise the real concern there is in Dundee and in every meeting I have organised the ministers I have spoken to have been keen to do whatever they can to protect and indeed promote the long-term future of Dundee.”