Fife politicians have defended Amazon after it was described as a ”worst” employer by a union leader.
The online retail giant has started hiring staff for its £60m distribution centre next to the M90 in Dunfermline, which is set to create at least 1,000 jobs.
Amazon received almost £9m in grants from Scottish Enterprise for the centre hailed as a much-needed boost to the local economy.
However, Scottish Trades Union Congress assistant secretary Stephen Boyd criticised the Scottish Government for supporting companies such as Amazon and Ryanair, neither of which recognise unions.
He said: ”If we’re giving grants to the Amazons and the Ryanairs of this world then we want these jobs to be sustainable and we want these jobs to be decent.
”Simply shouting about 1,000 new jobs in the Scottish economy is not going to cut it over the long term.”
In 2007, a row broke out about working conditions at Amazon’s Greenock base. At the time, the GMB said the company was taking advantage of the fact people in the area were ”desperate for jobs”.
Mr Boyd claimed events at Greenock represented ”some of the very, very worst employment standards you will see right across the UK economy”, and added: “The Scottish Government should not be in the business of supporting this type of company.”
He continued: “We’ve seen over the last few years a couple of significant investments into Scotland from what we would describe as some of the worst employers.
“We’re providing grants to these companies to set up in Scotland but we have to start stipulating that we expect minimum returns in terms of employment standards.”
Tony Martin, who chairs Fife Council’s environment, enterprise and transportation committee, said companies who recognise trade unions do not always make better employers. He is confident Amazon will offer locals careers and not just dead-end jobs.
“Some employers recognise trade unions and the trade unions spend all their time fighting with them, not to the benefit of the employees,” said Mr Martin.
Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker said he “fundamentally disagreed” with the union boss.
“I have had many dealings with Amazon and have always found them to be a good employer who have shown a clear intention of long-term investment in Dunfermline,” he said.
“I am afraid this comment is too typical of a certain type of union leader who is too quick to criticise companies if they hear anything negative about them.”
An Amazon spokesman said: “Every Amazon employee in Scotland works with dedication and diligence to ensure we deliver to customers. Our talented workforce is highly valued and we take the wellbeing of all our employees very seriously.”
But Mr Boyd’s comments were “enthusiastically” welcomed by Green party co-convener Patrick Harvie.
Photo Chris Radburn/PA Wire