Unions representing workers at Scottish fabricator BiFab are “optimistic” about the future of the company after meeting with Canadian owner DF Barnes.
GMB Scotland secretary Gary Smith and Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said there is a “determination” to make all three yards in Fife and Lewis a “success in the short and the long term”.
“We are satisfied now that the Canadian acquisition of BiFab is a unique opportunity to address the lack of a manufacturing supply chain in the Scottish renewables sector,” the pair said in a joint statement from Canada.
“It is also clear to us the company want to make BiFab a world leader in the renewables and energy sector with the Scottish yards being key to that success.
“The company has assured us that they are committed to working with our unions and to create a successful business that creates highly skilled jobs in Scotland.”
Smith and Rafferty also called on offshore wind developers to place future fabrication work with BiFab, which was taken over earlier this year by DF Barnes, a subsidiary of fabrication outfit JV Driver.
“It cannot be the case that the people of Scotland, who pay a premium on their energy bills to subsidise the offshore wind farms, are denied the opportunity to build those wind farms,” they said.
“The great renewables rip off must stop now, we want jobs and opportunities for our communities.”
BiFab has recently laid off temporary staff after completing jacket fabrication for SSE’s 588MW Beatrice wind farm in the Moray Firth and is seeking new contracts.
Image: BiFab’s Methil yard in Scotland
Unions ‘optimistic’ for BiFab future
By EBS