GMB Scotland: New contracts will secure bright future for Fergusons

The promise of new work for shipyard Ferguson Marine will allow the shipyard to begin building a brighter future, according to GMB Scotland.

The union, the biggest at the Port Glasgow yard, has campaigned for the Scottish Government to directly award contracts to the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde and allow the workforce to rebuild after ten bruising years.

Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, welcomed deputy first minister Kate Forbes’ promise of four new ships and said the work will help secure a new future for the yard, create skilled jobs and apprenticeships, and deliver value for taxpayers.

After the statement in hte Scottish Parliament today, Gilmour said: “These contracts are welcome and will allow Ferguson Marine to fulfil its potential as one of Scotland’s key industrial assets.

“The work will allow the yard to turn the page and allow a skilled, committed and blameless workforce to begin restoring its worldwide reputation for excellence.

“These are exactly the kind of ships Fergusons has been sending around the world for more than 100 years and must now open a pipeline of work to allow this famous yard to thrive for 100 more.

“We are an island nation, will always need ships and Ferguson Marine should be helping build them.”

GMB Scotland had campaigned for the direct award of contract to Fergusons, and delivering her statement to the Scottish Parliament, Forbes hailed Alex Logan, GMB convenor at Fergusons, for his "phenomenal work" in support of the workforce and his "tireless and unwaving commitement" to securing the shipyard's future.

ENDS