(Glasgow) Kiss Glencraft, Kate

So 160 years of Glencraft in Aberdeen are over. Designing and manufacturing mattresses and beds, this noble institution has been a employment lifeline for the blind and disabled. So many people have been put out of work in the "best placed country to beat the recession", but even in the avalanche of job losses this one stands out. The people who have been made redundant at Glencraft will struggle more than most to find alternative employment. Many have worked there all their working lives. Their jobs gave them independence and a source of pride and respect. These people are the real vulnerable in society and deserve as much assistance as possible to help them through this difficult time.

I see Salmond turned up with a "Task Force" for the media's consumption this week. How much that will help remains to be seen, but hey our esteemed First Minister got a photo opportunity and that's all that matters...............

Hearing the interviews with trustees of the firm and employees alike, you can feel the passion and loyalty this organisation instills in its workforce. They were genuinely devastated. Of course there has been mistakes made. The outside consultant who came with a six figure salary apparently, was obviously gutted in his interview with the media, but I wonder how good a job he did. Did you ever see or hear any advertisements for the company? Any incentives to go up to their factory for a look at their stock, any discounts which would make you choose them over the Bed Shed? No, me neither. Thanks to Mrs M for pointing this out by the way, credit where it's due!

But as is the norm nowadays, Aberdeen City Council need to take a long, hard look at themselves. They piss money up the wall giving themselves a shiny new headquarters but can't give an employer of blind and disabled people one last chance.

The interview with Kate Dean on the radio sickened me. This woman, binned from her job as Leader of the City Council because she'd overseen a financial meltdown which made it the laughing stock basket case of Scotland, was arrogant, dismissive and insensitive. "We've done all we can" was the line she spewed. No sympathy for the workers was forthcoming. It must be great to be useless at your job, get thrown out of it and land up in another cushy number (planning I believe). And of course there's that lovely gold plated pension to look forward to as well. This despicable smug PUBLIC SERVANT is the epitome of the Public Service's "I'm all right jack" attitude.

So good luck to the employees of Glencraft and here's hoping they get new jobs soon.

Music recommendation tonight is again bang up to date - the Noisettes, Every Now and Then. Lavish strings and a key change - you'll know by now I'm a sucker for both!