KEEP YOUR PROMISES AND DON’T LET US SINK
Government reassures 350 workers
A union leader has demanded the Scottish Government “sticks to its word” and nationalises the crisis-hit Ferguson Marine shipyard.
The Port Glasgow company began the process of going into administration on Friday, following a dispute over a delayed contract for two CalMac ferries.
GMB Scotland boss Gary Smith has insisted ministers promised the River Clyde yard – which is owned by billionaire Scottish Government adviser Jim McColl and employs about 350 people – would not be allowed to go under.
Smith said: “The Scottish Government has g iven us assurances over a period of weeks and months that they will not let the company fail because the workforce is important, continuity is important and suppliers would be left high and dry.
“We have every confidence that they will do the right thing and we look forward to working with them as the new owners of Ferguson Marine.
“This is a national asset and we believe public ownership is the right way to go.”
McColl has been in a longrunning dispute with the Scottish Government after the bill for the two CalMac vessels increased to nearly double the original £97million price tag.
MV Glen Sannox is well over a year late, while Hull 802 is nearly y two years behindhind schedule.
Ferguson Marine has blamed the hold- upss on “interference and disruption”ion” by Caledonian Maritime Assetssets (CMAL), which buys and leasesses CalMac vessels.
It was revealedvealed earlier this year that publicblic loans totalling £ 45million had been handed over in a bid to have the contract completed.
A Scottish Government spokesman n said: “Our priority remains to ensure the complecompletion of the vessels under construconstruction, secure jobs for the workforworkforce and protect the future of shipbshipbuilding at the site.
“We’vWe’ve been working to secure a future for the shipyard for two years andan it is disappointing that we have not been able to reach a solution that would have prevented adminisadministrators becoming involved.
“We appreciate that this will be a concerning time for the workforce, their families and the local community and we would like to reassure them that we are committed to building a secure future for the yard and its workforce.”
He added that the Scottish Government would continue to work closely with trade unions.
Ferguson Mar ine’s chief executive Ger ry Marshal l conf irmed the directors had served notice to appoint an administrator to the company.
He said: “The directors do not consider there to be any other options in the circumstances.
“However, the directors will continue to support the shareholder and the Scottish Government to realise a positive outcome for the business and its employees.”