The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Babcock axing 150 jobs at Rosyth yard
Fife has been dealt another jobs blow with confirmation that 150 jobs are to go at Babcock’s Rosyth yard.
It comes after the company axed 250 posts in November.
Babcock said it had been studying its operations and management operation at Rosyth over the last few months to ensure the business remained competitive.
A statement said: “Following a review of our current business structure we have decided to combine our energy and marine operations on site into one cohesive team to optimise performance of our current projects and maximise future opportunities.
“Regrettably in doing this we will reduce our management and support functions by around 150 positions.
“This is a necessary step in sustaining the competitiveness of our future business; however we recognise that this is a worrying time for those colleagues who are affected by these changes and our priority is now to work with our trade union representatives and those individuals throughout the coming consultation period.”
Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Labour MP Lesley Laird said the announcement was “extremely disappointing”.
She added: “Babcock is a flagship employer in Fife and a major player in this key industrial sector.
“It also makes a significant contribution to the local area through the high quality jobs it provides.
“I will be contacting the firm in order to better understand their position as they progress with the proposal to merge their operations and to discuss their future operational plans, and what this could mean for the local area.
“I welcome the fact that Babcock are engaging with trade union representatives and would urge the firm to work closely with the workforce and take the opportunity to mitigate the Fife job losses within the group as a whole.
“I will now be following this up with the Minister for Industry and the Minister for Defence and also the Secretary of State For Scotland.
“There are ongoing concerns regarding the Conservative government’s industrial and defence strategy and their approach to procurement.
“But our priority now must be to ensure support for those employees affected and that where possible the significant skills and experience are not lost from Fife.”