Pladis, the Turkish-owned company behind the iconic McVitie's biscuit brand, donated £1 million to Glasgow City Council after closing its historic factory in 2022, resulting in the loss of over 400 jobs. The donation was made with the condition of anonymity, prompting criticism from the GMB union, which represented the affected workers.
Pladis , the Turkish-owned confectionery conglomerate, closed its historic Glasgow factory in 2022, leading to the loss of over 400 jobs. The large commercial site in Tollcross, in the city's east end, was subsequently sold in June 2022 in a multi-million pound deal to Clowes Developments. It was recently revealed that Pladis donated £1 million to Glasgow City Council, with the condition that their identity as the source remained undisclosed.
Councillors were informed of this donation at a public meeting last week, with members of the press asked to leave before the discussion began. After the Record and other newspapers identified the company, Pladis stated their intention 'to leave a substantial legacy that would benefit the local community in the area the site was based'.However, the company faced criticism from the GMB union, which represented many of the workers who lost their jobs in 2022. Louise Gilmour, the union's Scottish secretary, called on the SNP administration on Glasgow City Council to 'end the secrecy' surrounding the donation's terms. She argued that the 470 workers laid off by Pladis would find little consolation in the charity three years later. Gilmour emphasized that Glasgow's citizens deserve more than 'crumbs from the table' of a multinational company that made £100 million in profits last year. She called for good jobs and committed employers who prioritize workers and their communities. Gilmour stated that Pladis should still be operating a factory in the East End of Glasgow instead of making donations. She criticized the company for ignoring widespread opposition, rejecting potential rescue plans, and shutting down the factory in what she termed a 'needless act of industrial vandalism'. Gilmour further condemned Glasgow City Council's practice of conducting 'hush-hush deals' with multinational corporations that have shown little interest in engaging with local and national governments when it truly matters. She demanded transparency and accountability, urging the council to bring the donation offer into the light and inform the people of Glasgow about the details of this transaction
Pladis Mcvitie's Glasgow Factory Closure Donation GMB Union Industrial Vandalism Secrecy
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