The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Government knew of BiFab lay-offs two days before staff
Labour MSP hits out after workers’ shock
The Scottish Government was informed of redundancies at BiFab two days before workers learned of their fate, it has emerged.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown revealed in Parliament yesterday that he was made aware of the job losses when he met with the company’s new owners DF Barnes last Wednesday.
Mr Brown said he appreciated the shock felt by employees and unions when 35 of the 43 staff left at the fabrication yards in Methil and Burntisland were handed redundancy notices on Friday.
He added that Scottish Government officials would remain in close contact with the firm and trade unions to ensure new contracts were secured for the troubled yards.
Quizzed by Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP Claire Baker, the minister said he understood the shock felt by the workforce after Friday afternoon’s announcement.
“I spoke to both trade unions on Friday when this was announced so I do appreciate that completely understandable reaction,” he said.
Adding that BiFab’s viability depended on winning future work, he said: “We spent much of the meeting we had on Wednesday talking about how we can best achieve these new contracts, two in particular.
“That is the focus of Scottish Government efforts. It’s also the focus of the trade unions’ efforts as well as the company’s.”
Mr Brown said DF Barnes would be looking to the oil and gas industry as well as renewables to try to bridge the gap.
“Beyond that, DF Barnes have a number of other abilities to do other work in terms of fabrication,” he said.
Mrs Baker insisted the Scottish Government had a responsibility to workers, given they had a stake in the company.
“We now know that the government knew a full two days before workers and trade unions,” she said. “This is not acceptable and will be disappointing to many.”