Socialist Appeal supported the 9 week long struggle by workers at McKinnon Mills clothing factory in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire and their eventual pay increase. As we reported at the time, many of the workers with decades of service, had not received a pay rise for 10 years. Strikes and a work-to-rule pressurised the scrooge bosses into giving a 2.5% increase.
Now bosses at the plant have decided to slash the workforce from 128 to just over 40. The reduction could well be the start of the complete closure of the factory and the bosses resentment toward their workforce is clearly obvious.
McKinnon Mills is part of the world famous Edinburgh Woolen Mills Group renowned for their quality sports and casual wear. The bosses have structured the individual companies independently and now claim the Coatbridge operation is not profitable.
