Concern over future of Bifab workers and impact on contracts

Opposition politicians last night expressed deep concern over a statement from Bifab staff claiming its new owners want to replace them with non-union agency workers.

Earlier this year the Fife and Lewis based company, which specialises in marine energy, was taken over by DF Barnes, a subsidiary of Canadian company JV Driver.

In a statement the company said: “Working closely with the Scottish Government, our absolute focus is on securing new contracts that will strengthen communities in Fife and on the Isle of Lewis.

“We informed the trade unions in Scotland some months ago that, while there was a gap between projects, we would need to reduce the workforce.”

The new owners invested heavily in Bifab to stave off closure in a rescue deal that also saw the Scottish Government become a minority shareholder. Since last year the core workforce has been reduced from 400 to just a handful.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We have made a long-term investment in the company, however we do not participate in operational management decisions.

“It was clear at the point new ownership was secured that conditions would remain challenging for the yards and new contracts would have to be won to secure future work”