South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament condemning plans to make 80 redundancies, alongside worsening sick pay, working hours and conditions at Trump Turnberry Resort.

The local MSP is calling on the Scottish Government to intervene and offer its support to the campaign to protect all workers at the resort.

The motion from Colin Smyth read: “That the Parliament notes with concern reports that the Trump Turnberry Resort is planning to make in the region of 80 redundancies alongside worsening sick pay, working hours, pay enhancements, staff benefits and working conditions; understands that the company has received public funds during the COVID-19 pandemic in the form of Job Retention Scheme furlough payments; is concerned that the plans might be an attempt to casualise the workforce at the resort; supports the RMT’s campaign to protect all jobs and conditions at the business, and calls on the Scottish Government to intervene and offer its support to the campaign to protect all workers at Trump Turnberry.”

He added: “The situation at the Trump Turnberry resort is deeply concerning and I have repeatedly raised the matter with the Scottish Government, without ever receiving a satisfactory response.

“It is now time for serious action. Staff working at the resort are facing the sack, as well as cuts to sick pay, working hours and benefits. It is completely unacceptable.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has been extremely hard on our tourism industry but the reports from staff and the RMT Union suggest that Trump Turnberry is disregarding the rights of its staff and using the pandemic as an excuse to increase profits, while decreasing working conditions.

“I, along with the union, will continue to press the Scottish Government to act on this matter as a matter of priority.”