DADS’ ARMY
Families march together to save their livelihoods
HUNDREDS of workers whose jobs are under threat at crisis-hit BiFab have been backed by their families at a demo.
Young children led the way at the march in Edinburgh yesterday, pleading with the Scottish Government to help “Save
Daddy’s Work”. The demonstrators held a rally outside the Scottish Parliament as union chiefs called on the SNP Government to help end a dispute between BiFab and a Dutch contractor.
GMB Scotland secretary Gary Smith said: “This work started in Scotland and it’s going to be finished in Scotland.”
The firm, who make structures for the oil & gas and offshore wind industries, announced their intention to call in administrators last week due to cash-flow problems.
Union bosses have claimed the shortfall has been caused by Dutch contractor Seaway Heavy Lifting not paying for completed work.
About 1400 jobs are at risk if BiFab does go into administration, with sites in Burntisland and Methil in Fife, and a site on the Isle of Lewis, closing down.
Hundreds of workers staged a work-in this week to help secure the future of their business by working without knowing if they would be paid.
Smith hailed the turnout at the demo – also attended by ex-Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, contender Richard Leonard and SNP Community Safety Minister Annabel Ewing – as “absolutely magnificent” and said not only will the workers and their families be affected by any closure, but the Scottish economy would suffer too.
He said: “It’s a very clear message to Seaway Heavy Lifting and (energy giant) SSE – nothing is leaving Scotland.
“The contractual and funding arrangements for the £2.6billion Beatrice project, of which SSE are the majority stakeholder, are a web of private and public, UK and international investment.
“But the root of the problem is the disputed payments between Seaway Heavy Lifting, the procurement contractor appointed by SSE, and BiFab, with a reported shortfall of up to £35million owed to BiFab.
“We understand SHL are underpinned by a UK Government bond, estimated to be about £21million, along with contractual clauses that would likely mean the Dutch contractor can walk away from their obligations to BiFab with minimal detriment, while taking work out of Fife and Lewis. “So over and above the billions of pounds of public money that’s already been poured into the renewables industry, the UK taxpayer is heavily on the hook here. “It’s not just in the interests of the workers, their communities and the economy to save these jobs, it’s also very much in the public interest too. “Letting these workers and their communities go under is not an option – everyone needs to pull together and battle for BiFab.”
Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty added: “We know from the last few days this is going to be a tough fight.
“But today we say to this parliament before us that the jobs at these yards in Methil, Burntisland and Lewis are our jobs – Scottish jobs – and we will fight tooth and nail to protect them.
“This contract will be finished in these yards by our members because these jobs are not for sale at any price.”
BiFab won a £100million contract from SHL last year for the production of 26 offshore wind turbine jackets.
The deal was part of the £2.6billion SSE-led project for the Beatrice offshore windfarm in outer Moray Firth.
Interim Scottish Labour leader Jackie Baillie said: “It can’t be right that one of Scotland’s biggest sources of renewable jobs faces administration, while renewables are supposed to be a key priority for Scotland’s economy.
“Workers need a cast-iron guarantee which will allow them to continue to work and prepare for future work.
“The Scottish Government should commit to providing financial support so the company can remain operational.”
SSE added: “SSE are a 15 per cent shareholder in Burntisland Fabrications Ltd (BiFab) and are willing to play their part in a recovery package.”
Economy Secretary Keith Brown said he and Business Secretary Paul Wheelhouse had had meetings since Friday with BiFab, Seaway SHL, SSE, Siemens and Scottish Enterprise, adding: “We are determined to fully explore all options to save the company – and the jobs that depend upon it.
“We are very much aware this will be a distressing time for people employed at BiFab, as well as their families and the communities of Burntisland, Methil and Arnish, but I want to assure them the Scottish Government are doing what we can to secure a positive resolution.”
The jobs at these yards in Methil, Burntisland and Lewis are our jobs and we’ll fight tooth and nail to protect them PAT RAFFERTY