GMB Union has called the “effective” closure of BiFab yards a “dark day” for the Scottish economy as the core workforce is cut in a move that sees senior staff keep their posts.
Despite a recent ownership takeover by Canadian firm DF Barnes, GMB claim the core workforce of 400 and 1000 contractors has been cut, with only seven workers being offered part-time positions.
GMB also say that 12 senior managers from the original BiFab business will be fully retained by new owners .
Alan Ritchie, GMB Scotland organiser, said: “We were promised a bright future by the new owners but the cold, hard truth is that these yards are now closed until new orders can be secured.
“There is also anger and resentment that some of the people responsible for the demise of BiFab have had their futures secured, while the workers who made the sacrifices to complete the Beatrice order have been steadily shown the door.
“‘Jam tomorrow’ is of no use to our members and their families. This is a dark day for Fife and Lewis, and for the Scottish economy. Whether there is any light in the weeks and months to come remains to be seen.”
The new owners vowed last month that there would be “no further redundancies” as they look to compete for big renewables contracts.
But union chiefs accused them of “playing on words” and insulting workers, given redundancy notices were still to take effect on scores of workers across two yards in Arnish, Stornoway and Fife.
DF Barnes, which took over the troubled company earlier this year, met unions in June for tense discussions over workers’ futures.