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NCR jobs task force begins work 'No guarantees' for NCR workers
(about 23 hours later)
The team given the task of finding new jobs for the 650 workers made redundant at the NCR cash machine factory in Dundee is set to begin its work. Ways of finding new jobs for the 650 workers made redundant at the Dundee NCR factory are being investigated by Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen.
Enterprise Minister Nicol Stephen will chair the group's first meeting. He warned there was hard work ahead and added there would be no guarantees of a positive outcome.
The Scottish Executive said the job losses, announced last Thursday, were "devastating" for the local economy. A rapid reaction team looking into the situation is expected to bring forward an action plan at a later date.
The enterprise minister said he was confident alternative jobs and training could be found for most of the workers by the end of this year. Mr Stephen said the Scottish Executive would pledge "substantial" funding to help the team achieve its goals.
Research and development Meanwhile, Dundee University lecturer Carlo Morelli urged workers to occupy the plant in a bid to make NCR bosses change their minds.
Mr Stephen is setting up what he calls a "rapid reaction team" to carry out that task. Last week, the US firm announced that production of ATM cash dispensers would continue at its plant in Budapest, opened just over a year ago and at factories in Beijing and India.
It will bring together local and national government, Scottish Enterprise Tayside and other relevant agencies. 'Glimmer of hope'
The minister is travelling to Dundee to chair the taskforce's first meeting and to seek reassurances from NCR bosses that they will maintain a research and development presence in Dundee. The firm blamed the "changing market environment" and competitive pressures for the job losses in Dundee.
Last week NCR ended speculation over the future of the US firm's operation in Dundee. The reaction team has brought together local and national government, Scottish Enterprise Tayside and other agencies.
The firm blamed the "changing market environment" and competitive pressures for the job losses. Speaking from Dundee, Mr Stephen, who is also enterprise minister, said the unemployed workforce had to be given the opportunity to re-train, with help to find new jobs or support to set up their own businesses.
The firm said ATM production would continue at its plant in Budapest, opened just over a year ago, and at factories in Beijing and India. "We've got to make sure that advice is available easily on site, supported by the company," the minister told BBC Scotland.
Dundee City Council raised concern that a knock-on effect among suppliers and other businesses could result in the total loss of as many as 1,000 jobs. "These things do not always happen. Some companies are, in these situations, difficult to work with. I believe that we've got to work very hard with NCR."
Dundee staff received the news of cuts last week
Mr Stephen added that the Scottish Executive was willing to provide funding running into millions of pounds to take forward the action plan.
He added that he also wanted to protect the future of NCR's research and development operation in Dundee.
The city council has raised concern that a knock-on effect among suppliers and other businesses could result in the total loss of as many as 1,000 jobs.
Local Labour MSP Kate Maclean, who represents Dundee West, said she was hopeful that Mr Stephen could offer the workers "a glimmer of hope".
"In the longer term, we do have to address the issue of the amount of job losses that there have been," she added.
Dundee East Nationalist MSP Shona Robison said: "It is now time for the Labour and Lib Dem government to send out a very clear message about its confidence in Dundee as a place to invest."