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BiFab workers march for jobs

16 Nov 2017

BiFab workers from Fife today marched on the Scottish Parliament in an effort to save their jobs.

There was no representation from the engineering company’s yard in Lewis as the island workforce were apparently not informed of the demonstration until late yesterday afternoon - an omission which annoyed many at the Arnish site.

BiFab faces the threat of administration after suffering a “critical cash position” connected to its £100 million contract to supply 26 wind turbine foundations for the SSE-led 588MW Beatrice offshore wind farm in the Outer Moray Firth.

 

The fabrication of foundation jackets and piles was split between Lewis and BiFab's two yards in Fife.

Hebrides News has been told a lengthy and damaging dispute involving manufactured assemblies for the windfarm has resulted in a disruption to payments causing an extremely serious cash flow problem for BiFab.

Increased overheads for materials and production are also factors.  

 

Seaway says it has paid BiFab “in line with our contract.”  

 

Gary Smith, GMB Scotland secretary, told union members: “I cannot guarantee that we are going to get a successful outcome to this fight.

 

“The situation is really tough.

 

“But if you had not taken the stand that you have the yards would already be closed.”

 

Marchers listened in the Scottish Parliament as deputy first minister John Swinney pledged the Scottish Government’s determination ed to secure the future of BiFab.

 

He said the Scottish Government is “actively involved in trying to resolve the disputed sums because it will create a pathway for future stability” at the firm.

 

The “fundamental focus” is on resolving the contractual issues that created the situation.

 

European rules over awarding state aid is a significant stumbling block for proving a bail-out.

Mr Swinney praised the “commitment and dignity of the workforce at BiFab.

“I thank every one of them who have been in this difficult position since Thursday for demonstrating to everybody around the world the commitment to manufacturing in this country.

“I’m very proud of all of them.”

SSE - which owns 15% of BiFab said: “We continue to work closely with BiFab’s management and other stakeholders to find a sustainable solution, and it is in that spirit that we will do so in the days and weeks ahead.”