HUNDREDS of jobs are under threat after an Alexandria-based recycling social enterprise filed for administration.

Around 109 workers at Greenlight Environmental, which provides recycling services to West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde and Argyll and Bute councils, were issued with redundancy notices last Tuesday, the day after Greenlight announced its intention to go into voluntary administration.

More than 80 of the employees are based in West Dunbartonshire.

The company has been requested to pay a tax bill to HMRC valued at £300,000.

The news has been met with shock locally and calls have been made to protect the jobs of “vulnerable” staff. 

GMB Scotland, the union for refuse and recycling workers, has called on all three council’s leaders to urgently intervene to secure local employment and ensure the social enterprise continues.

Hazel Nolan, a GMB organiser, said: “Many of their staff have been recruited through schemes to assist the long-term unemployed and there are right now serious questions to answer as to how we got to a situation whereby these vulnerable workers are being issued with redundancy notices.

“GMB Scotland is providing support to our Greenlight members and we are calling for urgent action from the councils who have contracts with Greenlight and who have a clear moral duty to act.”

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie, who has been contacted by a number of concerned workers, said: “They are a great organisation who have made a really positive impact on our community and this is very sad news.

“It is paramount that we strain every sinew to retain the company and, as importantly, retain all the jobs.” 

Leven councillor Jim Bollan added: “It’s terrible news that jobs could be under threat at Greenlight.

“The three councils need to take the lead and spearhead a rescue plan with the trades union and other interested bodies to ensure these jobs and services are saved for local people.”

Greenlight’s work in the area includes recycling, the management of civic amenity sites and the Care of Garden Scheme.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesperson told the Reporter they have increased their spend with the company over the last three years to £1.4million.

Following the news, Dumbarton councillor David McBride submitted a motion to the Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development (IRED) committee calling on the council leaders to find a solution that protects jobs and services.

Cllr McBride, shadow spokesman for IRED, called the news “devastating” for the workforce.

In response, council leader Jonathan McColl said he is in the process of working towards the outcome called for. 

He said: “Discussions on all options, including taking the staff in-house, are ongoing with other councils and we will do everything we can to help the staff, who have been badly let down by those responsible for the company’s finances.”