The administrators in charge of the liquidation of Dawnfresh Seafood announced the closure of the company's Uddingston facility, unable to overcome its financial problems. As a result of this decision, 200 workers will lose their jobs, and only 77 will remain in their posts to help the administrators with the winding-up process. Other workers in the group, 249 belonging to seafood processor RR Spink & Sons (Arbroath) Ltd in particular, have been luckier as they will keep their jobs after the sale to Scottish smoked salmon producer Associated Seafoods Ltd (ASL).
Based in Scotland, Dawnfresh Seafoods is one of the UK's largest producers of fish and seafood. They produce for food service and retail, both in the UK and around the world. In addition to using our own farmed trout we also work with many other species.
The unions' response has not been long in coming and several have already spoken out on Twitter. Sarah Woolley, Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) General Secretary said that "what has happened at Dawnfresh in Scotland has left our members jobless with no notice at a time when the cost of living is rocketing, it really isn't good enough how they have been treated by their now ex employer". Meanwhile, Mark McHugh, Scottish organizer at the BFAWU, has expressed his disappointment at the treatment received by the workers, who were denied access to the facilities.
Stephanie Callaghan, Scots National Pairty MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, said she is "deeply saddened by the news that the Dawnfresh site in Uddingston will close with immediate effect". For her part, Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon, announced that she will be there "raising questions in the Scottish Parliament to make sure everything possible is done to protect jobs and workers".