Major Scottish bus firm Alexander Dennis (ADL) has begun formal consultation on a major restructuring programme that puts up to 650 jobs at risk across the manufacturing giant’s UK facilities.
In a bid to deliver efficiencies, part of the proposals include transferring chasis manufacturing from Guildford to its Scottish base in Falkirk.
However, 160 jobs could still go at the Falkirk facility despite the move.
The firm said the restructuring programme is designed to adjust current capacity without compromising the company’s ability to respond to a resurgence of demand in the future.
The consultation follows an announcement in July which warned of a significant fall in demand for new buses and coaches in the UK as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The firm utilised the UK Government’s job retention scheme, implemented salary reductions and reduced hours.
However the businesss added “there remains no immediate visibility of the stimulus funding urgently required to support operators to place orders, making it necessary to begin the formal consultation on the proposed changes.”
Trade union, Unite Scotland, described the cuts as “devastating”.
Unite Scottish secretary, Pat Rafferty, said: “Unite will not allow these savage cuts to go unopposed and we will fight this every step of the way. “
ADL president and managing director Paul Davies, said: “We have no choice but to implement these tough decisions to protect the company’s future health.
“We remain confident that the situation will improve in time, and we are well placed to take advantage when that happens.
