GLASGOW—April 14th, 2010

City Building’s Director of Operations, Graham Paterson, congratulates May McCann on 50 years with RSBi.

City Building employee May McCann has just clocked up a magnificent milestone with the company. May, who has been blind since birth, celebrated an incredible 50 years in the job on April 11.

A sewing machinist with Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft industries, May (68) started as a knitting machinist in the old factory in Glasgow’s Possilpark area where her first wage was the princely sum of £3 3/4d (£3.17p).

At a special ceremony on Monday afternoon in the RSBi factory in Springburn, Glasgow, she was presented with gifts including a ring to mark the milestone.

A delighted May commented: “I love my job and my colleagues at Blindcraft . It is a great place to work and I have been very happy here. Everyone has been so kind to me. The factory is a huge part of my life and I have no plans to retire. I will be here as long as they want to keep me and as long as I can continue to do my job to the high standards set in here.”

City Building’s Director of Operations Graham Paterson said: “During her 50 years May has proved to be one of the real characters at RSBi. She keeps everyone going with her funny stories and anecdotes and is popular with everyone. She is also a model employee who produces excellent work, has a wonderful attitude and a first-class attendance record. Today is her day and our way of showing how much we appreciate her and how popular a member of staff she is.

“She has never had a day off up until last week when she broke a bone in her foot. She was off for two days in total. The first to get a cast on her foot and the second to let the cast settle. Two days off in 50 years is absolutely remarkable.”

As the proud operators of Europe’s largest assisted workshop facility at RSBi, predominantly employing people who have a disability or who have learning difficulties City Building are committed to ensuring equality and fairness not only for all employees but also prospective employees.

RSBi is a unique organisation with unique resources. Specialising in manufacturing a wide range of furniture products, RSBi is also dedicated to ‘making a difference’ in the community. From its roots as a supported facility for the visually impaired, RSBi is today committed to providing opportunities for people with disabilities, as well as helping towards the economic regeneration of the local community and beyond.

The contribution makes RSBi one of the country’s leading examples of social enterprise, combining commercial success with socially responsibility practises.

Media Enquiries
Please contact Mel Brookes, City Building’s Marketing Manager in the first instance on +44 (0)141 287 1956, +44 (0)7734 597296 or e-mail melanie.brookes@citybuildingglasgow.co.uk

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