News the Arnish yard will remain open is a “great Christmas present” for the island says Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan.
The facility was on the verge of falling into administration with parent company BiFab suffering financial troubles amounting to millions of pounds.
The Scottish Government led talks during an impasse and brokered a deal -
Alasdair Allan said the announcement will be a “relief for many families” in the islands.
Direct intervention of First Minister and attitude of the unions companies and the government were “all crucial” to the outcome, he added
The MSP commented: “In recent days, many families in Lewis have had real cause to worry about their jobs and livelihoods.
“So today’s announcement that a deal has been reached represents the best possible news. BiFab is not going into administration, and the current contracts at Arnish will be completed.
“I want to pay tribute to the commitment of the highly skilled workforce at Arnish, and the constructive attitude they have taken throughout this difficult time. Reaching a deal between the various commercial interests involved has required days of negotiation.
“The intervention of the First Minister, who came back early from engagements in Germany to take part in the talks herself, was I believe a decisive factor, but I would also like to thank my ministerial colleagues Keith Brown and Paul Wheelhouse for the many hours they have devoted to this issue.
“I also want to recognise the contribution made by the unions, some of whom I had a chance to meet with outside Holyrood this week, and by the different companies involved in the initial dispute, who have moved a long way to reach this agreement.
“The emphasis now will be on ensuring that Arnish receives new orders in the future, something which I believe it is well placed to do, given the growing market in the renewables sector for the work that it does.”
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