Around 30 people from Inverclyde have been axed by Rolls-Royce - months after being guaranteed work for at least 25 years

It is expected a total of 700 staff at the manufacturing and engineering factory in Renfrewshire will be laid off after the company announced bombshell cuts of 9,000 jobs globally.

The drastic step comes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic's devastating impact on the aviation industry.

It is believed that the company will now be moving the work of the Inchinnan factory abroad to cut costs.

There are two separate workforces operating at the factory, including the MRO [maintenance, repair and overhaul] staff who are responsible for looking after aircraft engines, who have been axed completely.

Cuts have also been made in the department responsible for manufacturing compressors and blades.

An Inverclyde MRO staff member, who did not want to be named, told the Tele: "It was absolutely devastating.

"They took us in and told us that they were closing down our factory completely.

"Many people have worked there for years and there are no other businesses operating within Scotland that can offer this type of work.

"Lots of people within the MRO factory have been furloughed since March and will be until the end of this month, but beyond that we have no idea what will be happening.

"We've all been in touch with our union reps and local MP, but it seems like they have also been kept in the dark.

"It is a major blow and a lot of stress at any time, but especially now when jobs are even harder to come by."

The Tele reported last week that MP Ronnie Cowan had written to the chief executive of the company, Warren East, after a contingent of Inverclyde staff had got in touch with him asking for help.

Mr Cowan has been in discussion with trade unions and other local MPs to discuss how to try and stave off the huge job losses at the factory.

The Inverclyde MP has today attacked the company's handling of the situation.

Mr Cowan said: “Rolls-Royce have become the latest company to abuse the furlough system that was set up to keep workers on the payroll during the pandemic.

“Their plans to shed thousands of jobs on the UK while transferring the work abroad is shameful.

"They have benefited from government support over the years, including military work, and the UK Government should be strong in supporting the workforce now.

"Inchinnan will be particularly hard hit with 59 per cent of the workforce losing their jobs.

“I am working with the trade unions to ensure we do everything we can to help the situation.

"If Rolls-Royce are allowed to get away with this then, along with the actions of British Airways, they shall be setting a precedent for post-Covid UK.

"Many other companies will be looking to see what the outcomes are for BA and Rolls Royce.

"Jobs must be protected.”

The Inchinnan plant is one of the few places left near Inverclyde providing engineer style jobs and apprenticeships, so the cuts come as a massive blow not only to the current employees but the many young people with their sights set on entering the skilled workforce.

Unite regional officer Debbie Hutchings said: "Rolls-Royce have informed workers at Inchinnan that they are now opening a voluntary redundancy scheme.

"The reality of the situation is that we could see 700 jobs move out of Inchinnan, with vital jobs and skills being lost forever to the Scottish economy.

"The impact on the supply chain would be far reaching and it would have a devastating impact on communities and families.

"Unite repeats our call for Rolls Royce to step back from dealing a major blow to Scottish manufacturing.

"We are entering a critical phase of the process in saving the Inchinnan site, and it now requires the urgent intervention from both the Scottish and UK governments to save thousands of jobs.”

Rolls Royce chief executive Warren East said: "We are following due legal process on employee engagement and working with our trade union and employee representatives throughout this process, to ensure the best outcome we can for our employees and their local communities."