GMB Calls On Government And Industry Stakeholders To ‘Battle For BiFab’

GMB Calls On Government And Industry Stakeholders To ‘Battle For BiFab’ - Letting Workers And Communities Go Under Is Not An Option

GMB Scotland has this evening (Monday 13 November) urged the Scottish Government and industry stakeholders to pull together and battle for the financially-stricken fabrication firm BiFab.

A total of 1,400 jobs both direct and the supply-chain are under threat after management informed trade unions this morning that the company has no money left to pay the wages of their staff.

GMB understands that cash flow problems have stemmed from a dispute over payments between BiFab and the £2.6 billion Beatrice wind-farm project contractor Seaway Heavy Lifting (SHL).

Last year BiFab secured a £100 million contract from SHL for the manufacture of twenty-six turbine jackets, sustaining employment at the Burntisland and Methil yards in Fife and also at Arnish on the Isle of Lewis.

GMB Scotland Secretary Gary Smith: “This is a critical moment for the future of BiFab, its workers and the communities these yards support.

Yesterday we were told that despite the evident problems, it would be business as usual and our members should report to work as normal.

This morning we were told that there is no money to pay our members wages, stemming from a cash flow problem with the contractor Seaway Heavy Lifting (SHL).

Everyone with an interest in these workers, their communities and the welfare of the Scottish economy must pull together now and the Scottish Government must lead this effort.

This is a viable workforce and these are viable yards - important strategic assets - and they stand ready and able to help deliver the future of Scottish manufacturing.

Letting these workers and their communities go under is not an option. We’ve got to battle for BiFab.”

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Contact: Peter Welsh, GMB Scotland Communications, on 07976 447077.