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HP 'agrees to help' job axe staff HP 'agrees to help' job axe staff
(about 2 hours later)
Hewlett-Packard has agreed to work with the Scottish Government in finding new job or retraining opportunities for 700 workers it is to axe in Renfrewshire.Hewlett-Packard has agreed to work with the Scottish Government in finding new job or retraining opportunities for 700 workers it is to axe in Renfrewshire.
The electronics giant said on Thursday it planned to close manufacturing operations at its Erskine plant and transfer work to the Czech Republic.The electronics giant said on Thursday it planned to close manufacturing operations at its Erskine plant and transfer work to the Czech Republic.
Finance Secretary John Swinney has met management and staff.Finance Secretary John Swinney has met management and staff.
He said everything possible would be done to "mitigate the impact" of the job losses.He said everything possible would be done to "mitigate the impact" of the job losses.
The company agreed this morning to cooperate in efforts to help find new job or retraining opportunities John SwinneyFinance SecretaryThe company agreed this morning to cooperate in efforts to help find new job or retraining opportunities John SwinneyFinance Secretary
Following the meeting, Mr Swinney said: "The Scottish Government made clear that it would work to look for alternative business opportunities for the affected parts of the site.Following the meeting, Mr Swinney said: "The Scottish Government made clear that it would work to look for alternative business opportunities for the affected parts of the site.
"And we will start work immediately on helping each and everyone of the staff who face losing their jobs."And we will start work immediately on helping each and everyone of the staff who face losing their jobs.
"The quality of the workforce here in Erskine is beyond doubt."The quality of the workforce here in Erskine is beyond doubt.
"Importantly the company agreed this morning to co-operate in efforts to help find new job or retraining opportunities for staff affected by yesterday's announcement.""Importantly the company agreed this morning to co-operate in efforts to help find new job or retraining opportunities for staff affected by yesterday's announcement."
Meanwhile, the UK Government has offered to meet senior management at Hewlett Packard to discuss possible support "which could maintain the company's presence in Scotland".
In a letter to the firm, Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy stated: "Hewlett-Packard has a long history of investment in Scotland and has always had the strongest possible support from the government.
'Regrettable redundancies'
"The news that you will be moving production from Scotland with consequential redundancies is regrettable."
About 1,300 people are employed by Hewlett-Packard in Erskine and it is understood 600 will remain at the site.About 1,300 people are employed by Hewlett-Packard in Erskine and it is understood 600 will remain at the site.
The Erskine plant was opened in 1987 by Compaq and was taken over by Hewlett-Packard in 2002. At one stage 2,500 people were employed on the site.The Erskine plant was opened in 1987 by Compaq and was taken over by Hewlett-Packard in 2002. At one stage 2,500 people were employed on the site.
Most of the workers still at the Erskine plant are agency staff, employed by outside organisations such as Manpower.Most of the workers still at the Erskine plant are agency staff, employed by outside organisations such as Manpower.
In January, the company said it was cutting its night shift with the loss of 153 jobs.In January, the company said it was cutting its night shift with the loss of 153 jobs.