The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Fears for isle jobs as firm’ s future hangs in balance
Uncertainty over future of Arnish firm
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is “anxious” to secure scores of island jobs after the future of an offshore engineering firm was plunged into uncertainty. Crisis talks were continuing yesterday after Burntisland Fabrications filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is “anxious” to secure scores of island jobs after the future of an offshore engineering firm was plunged into uncertainty.
Crisis talks were continuing yesterday after Burntisland Fabrications (BiFab) – which employs 251 permanent staff and 1,132 agency workers at yards in Fife and at Arnish on Lewis – filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
The issue is understood to be related to two major contracts for the SSE-led Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm in the Outer Moray Firth, and trade unions said last night that staff had agreed to continue working even though they might not be paid.
Scottish ministers vowed that they would “leave no stone unturned” to find a resolution, and Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil said the first minister was taking a personal interest.
The SNP MP said: “Clearly I am concerned for the jobs at Arnish and I know that many families will be very worried during this period of uncertainty.
“I spoke with Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy Paul Wheelhouse MSP today who assured me that a lot of hard work is going on to prevent job losses and to secure the future for BiFab.
“The minister assures me that the Scottish Government will leave no stone unturned and that the first minister is anxious to see a good outcome for BiFab.”
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which approved £2.9million of funding when it leased Arnish to BiFab in 2011, also said it was working to secure the future of the site.
A spokesman said: “This is clearly a challenging situation for the company, its employees and their families.
“We are involved in discussions with the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise, and playing our part to try to secure a positive outcome.”
Martin Adam, managing director of BiFab, said the
“Many families will be very worried during this period of uncertainty”
firm remained hopeful of finding a solution.
He said: “We are very disappointed that we have found ourselves in the current position which has arisen as a result of a challenging situation in respect of our ongoing contracts which have been providing much needed employment locally in Scotland.
“We are seeking a rapid solution with our key stakeholders and the Scottish Executive to our current cash flow position and are hopeful that this can be achieved quickly to secure the future of the business and the 1,400 strong workforce.”
Gary Smith, Scotland secretary for the GMB union, said: “I’m very clear: closure of those yards and the sacking of those workers is not an option.”