One of the main unions at BiFab says there is ‘still hope’ for the troubled fabrication firm but ‘time is of the essence’ to deliver critical investment and contracts that would save jobs.
Redundancy notices have been issued to workers at the yards in Arnish in Lewis and Burntisland and Methil in Fife, starting a statutory 45 day consultation process.
However, talks between the Scottish Government and potential new investors remain
on-
GMB is also reiterating its call for the Scottish Government to work with the BiFab trade unions to ensure that Scottish manufacturing yards can properly compete for renewable infrastructure projects in future.
GMB Scotland organiser Alan Ritchie said: “The battle for BiFab continues. All is not lost and there is still hope but time is of the essence.
“Next week, we have a crunch meeting with the Scottish Government and thereafter
we will have a better understanding about new investment coming into the yards and
the long term future.
“We have always been clear that our yards should not be struggling
and what we need is an industrial strategy to end the feast and famine in contract
work that plagues our manufacturing sector.
“There is also a long-
Mr Ritchie added: “But the immediate challenge is straightforward: All parties involved
need to pull together again to defend these workers and their communities because
letting them go under is not an option.
“Nobody should be under any illusions about
how tough this is on our members and their families but everything that can be done
to secure the future of Arnish, Burntisland and Methil is being done."
“Time of the essence” in battle for BiFab
13 February 2018