Triple employment blow hits town

Slumberdown is seeking voluntary redundancies in Hawick

A town in the Scottish Borders has suffered its third employment blow in a matter of days.

Bedding firm Slumberdown is looking for 38 voluntary redundancies in Hawick.

A company statement said that after a busy Christmas period it was looking to return to "normal core manning levels" and cut "seasonal workers".

A fellow Hawick firm, Emtelle, has plans to cut 35 posts while local car dealer Thornwood Motors is going into liquidation with the loss of 16 jobs.

Tony Trench, regional industrial organiser of the T&G section of Unite, said the Slumberdown move was a "sad sign of the times".

He added the firm had offered a �250 payment to affected staff on top of the statutory redundancy terms.

Slumberdown said it was grateful for the "consideration and support" shown by staff and the union.

Long-term stability

A statement said: "After a busy Christmas period, during which the company employed a significant number of seasonal workers, demand would now require a return to normal core manning levels.

"Subsequently the company is currently seeking to reduce its workforce by 38 seasonal workers with length of service between three and nine months.

"We would hope that this helps to achieve the current needs of the business, which are solely aimed at securing the long-term stability and subsequent employment of its core workforce."

Hawick Provost Zandra Elliot said the recent run of redundancies was an issue of concern for the town.

"I feel very sad for the people who are losing their jobs," she said.

"It is a worrying time for everyone."