Union demands Coop Board members save skilled jobs in Glasgow

Unite has today (Friday 26 June) demanded the Coop Board stop the proposed closure of the Shieldhall coffin factory saying its values will be 'torn apart' if it fails to save jobs in Glasgow. 

In April, the Co-op announced that its only coffin manufacturing facility at Bogmoor Place was earmarked for closure with all operations being transferred to a new site in Merseyside putting 81 posts at risk of redundancy.

The proposed closure is expected to conclude by the end of the year if the decision by the Co-op is not reversed. 

In a letter by the Shieldhall coffin factory workers to the Coop Board they say: "we are deeply concerned about the impact this decision will have on our livelihoods, our families and our community.” 

The workers go on to ask of the Coop Board: “What does it mean to be a co-operative if profitable jobs and skilled manufacturing can be moved hundreds of miles away when alternatives remain available?” 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Coop’s slogan is ‘Owned by you. Right by you.’ The closure of the Shieldhall factory will tear those values apart, and it will make a mockery of its mantra of putting people before profit and supporting communities.”  

“The Coop still has an opportunity to live up to its values by protecting the jobs in Shieldhall. The workers and Unite are demanding they halt this needless closure and work with us on viable alternatives.” 

Unite is campaigning for a pause to the closure process in order that viable alternatives can be explored including investment in a new or upgraded Glasgow site.

The union is actively engaging with the Scottish government and Scottish Enterprise to investigate all options which can protect jobs and save the factory from closure. 

Shieldhall Coop worker and Unite rep Louis Fordham said: “As Coop workers, we have consistently delivered quality products for families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. We believe the Coop Board must look at every alternative and they are not doing that right now.  

“There are options that can retain a manufacturing presence in Glasgow. Simply put livelihoods are at risk and families could be devastated if this closure goes ahead.” 

See notes to editor for links to testimonies from Coop Funeralcare workers facing redundancy 

The Shieldhall factory plays a key role in supporting employment in a socio-economically deprived area of Glasgow. The workers have specialist skills which are not easily transferable to other local employers.    

The Co-op's profit before tax rose to £116m in 2025 with the operating profit standing at £6m in the latest accounts. The Funeralcare business signposted a 10 per cent growth in "pre-need" funeral plan sales. 

In a survey conducted by Unite of the Co-op workforce, it found that more than half of the workforce are under the age of 44; the workers presently at the site have 14.8 years average service amounting to more than 1000 years of collective service, and 96 per cent of those surveyed have individuals in their households dependent on their incomes. 

ENDS 

Notes to editors  

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For media enquiries contact: Andrew Brady on 07810 157922 or andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org  

Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members.