RAIL workers from the St Rollox works took their Rally Roon the Caley campaign to the Scottish Parliament.

Workers gathered outside the Scottish Parliament to call for public ownership of the site.

Around 50 of the workforce travelled to Holyrood to hear MSPs debate on the plans to save the depot from the axe.

Workers made demands on the government and the government made demands on owners Gemini rail to help it find solutions.

the firm issued workers with a 45 day consultation notice of its plans to close the site, which runs out on March 4.

Unions and politicians warned time is running out.

Pat McIlvogue of Unite said: “We need a commitment and a response to the proposals we have put to the transport secretary Michael Matheson.

“We are open to anything that saves the jobs.”

He said they have suggested straightforward nationalisation, a hub model and electrification to allow the site to diversify and expand to take on heavy maintenance work.

He added: “At the moment Unite is the only organisation bringing forward proposals.”

In the debate Labour MSP James Kelly called on the Scottish Government to take the site into public ownership.

Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Maryhill and Springburn criticised Gemini rail for its attitude and level of engagement.

Mr Kelly said there was a strong economic case for saving the site

He said: “It is crucial we don’t get to March 4 without any government intervention. We need action now. The workers want to see intervention from the Government.”

Mr Doris, who will lead second debate on the Caley tonight, said Gemini Rail has been: “Inflexible unimaginative, unambitious and lacking in good will.”

Mr Doris said he wants all options explored and said he pleaded with Gemini to extend the consultation period to allow time for options to save the site to be fully considered.”

Michael Matheson, outlined the investment being made in Scotland’s railways and rolling stock for the future.

He said: “that’s why it is disappointing that Gemini have taken the approach they are taking with the workshops in Springburn.

“I call on Gemini to delay any decisions relating to this site.”

He said options were being explored but will take time. And he said it requires work with Gemini to get more time to repurpose the site.

Mr Matheson added electrification was already being looked at as a possibility.

He added Scottish Enterprise was “engaging with the wider rail sector if we moved to a hub model” where other firms could also use the site.

Paul Sweeney, Labour Glasgow North East MP joined the workers outside and in the public gallery at Holyrood.

He said: “With the right vision we can secure the future for the railway industry in Glasgow.”