Pelikan Workers “Resigned” to Job Losses

Workers at a cash-strapped north-east factory last night admitted they are “resigned” to another round of job lay offs.

Staff at Turriff-based stationery firm Pelikan Hardcopy Scotland Ltd (PHS) have been were informed that their jobs are under threat as management considers redundancies.

There was a sombre atmosphere at the Markethill Road factory yesterday as employees braced themselves for union negotiations and sweeping job losses.

Hesitant to speak publicly before bosses confirm which of the 83 PHS staff are facing redundancy, one worker, who did not want to be named, said: “We’re resigned to the fact really.

“The problem is the company haven’t kept up with the times. We still make carbon paper. We still make typewriter ribbon. When was the last typewriter made – 1969?”

He added that he and his colleagues have been told by senior management to expect 25 lay offs – nearly one third of the workforce.
The factory – which produces thermal transfer film products which allow material to be glued to paper by melting a coating of ribbon – is no stranger to job cuts.

In 2002, 80 workers were made redundant after the firm reported a decline in revenue from its traditional typewriter and printer ribbons.

Two years ago it was revealed PHS had been hit by a 13% drop in revenue between 2010 to 2011. Takings fell from £10.57m to £9.23m.

It also reported a widening of its pension scheme deficit, from £7.42m to £8.84m.

No one from Pelikan Hardcopy Scotland Ltd was available for comment last night.
(Source: The Press and Journal)